EP1894849B1 - Transport and storage container with adjustable side walls - Google Patents

Abstract

The crate (1), for transport and storage, has two adjacent side walls (10,20) held together by guides (51,52) in guide paths (41,42), without a swing axis, at the first side wall and the base (30). The upper section (22) of a side wall is inserted vertically into the first guide path (41) and the lower section is passed horizontally into the second guide path (42). The side wall of an empty crate is folded by moving the bottom section towards the center of the base and lowering the upper section in its vertical guide path, and vice versa.

Description

The present invention relates to a transport and storage container having a rectangular bottom and with four side walls, which are adjustable between an erect use position and a flat empty position, wherein two opposing first side walls are pivotable relative to the ground about a ground-parallel pivot axis, wherein in upright use position the side walls are in releasable engagement with each other at their adjacent side edges and form a circumferential wall-pull, and wherein in idle position the side-walls are out of engagement with each other and lie flat parallel to the floor.

From the EP 0 786 412 B1 is a transport and storage container of the type mentioned above. In this known container in the empty state of the container, at least the upper part of the side walls to the pivot axis parallel to the edges of the bottom pivoting inwards and towards the bottom of the container can be folded. When folding the side walls initially two opposing side walls are folded in the direction of the ground; then then the other two opposite side walls also towards the ground and be folded to the already folded side walls. All four side walls of the container are connected thereto via hinged connections to the ground.

A disadvantage has been found in known transport and storage containers of the type mentioned above that they are relatively prone to twisting, because the four side walls as pivoting parts of the container require a relatively large play in order to avoid jamming. In many such containers also adjustable latch are needed to fix the hinged side walls in their erected state relative to each other. These bars represent their own parts, which must be manufactured and assembled separately. The bars must usually be made of a different material, namely a resilient material, manufactured as the rest of the container, so that this leads to an increased effort in the production. Furthermore, in the known container relatively large overlaps of the side walls in the erected state, which interfere with a cleaning of the container, because of difficult or inaccessible areas remain for cleaning. In order to achieve better hygienic conditions during washing, it is possible to wash the container in the unlocked state. Overlaps of the side walls are avoided, which otherwise makes concealed areas accessible to the wash medium. Furthermore, of course, the possibility remains to clean the erected container in standard washing systems.

Although you can carry transport and storage containers of the type specified above without bars, the bars are then replaced by a detent. However, this occurs during the use of the container Relatively large wear on, which over time means that the detent is no longer safe or even completely lost.

Another transport and storage container of the type mentioned is out DE 91 03 975 U1 known. Also in this container, all four side walls are each connected via hinges to the bottom of the container and pivotable relative to this between an erect position and a folded-down position to the ground. An embodiment of this container provides that the opposing side walls, which are first pivoted in the direction of the ground, are guided in a guide extending on the inside on the other two opposite side walls. The guides extend on a radius about the pivot axis of the hinges of the side walls to be folded first. Regardless of the guides provided here occur in this second known container, the above already in connection with the first-mentioned document to the prior art disadvantages.

From the WO 97/20 742 A1 a container is known which consists of a bottom and four integral, relatively low side walls. With the two end faces of this container two frame-shaped bracket are connected, which serve to increase the stack height of the container either or reduce. In a first, vertical position, the stirrups increase the stacking distance of containers stacked on top of one another, while stacked stirrups minimize the stack height. The stirrups are connected to the rest of the container in such a way that they surround the container on the left and right of the respective end side laterally. In the area of this lateral gripping the stirrups are each a sliding guide guided, which are formed on the outside on the longitudinal sides of the side walls lying there. When swung in, the outside of the stirrups is under the bottom of the container

With this third known container, although it is possible to change the stack height, but remains in the empty state of the container with running parallel to the bottom ironing a relatively large amount of the container, which corresponds to the height of the fixed side walls. Furthermore, it is disadvantageous in this container that when located in a vertical position ironing the side walls of the container are not increased, so that when loading goods that require a hold by a higher side wall, this container can not be used. This limits the usability of this container.

For the present invention, therefore, the task is to provide a transport and storage container of the type mentioned, which avoids the disadvantages set out above and in particular a simple and safe handling and high stability with low torsion can be achieved.

The solution of this object is achieved according to the invention with a transport and storage container of the type mentioned, which is characterized in that two opposing second side walls are guided pivotally in guides on the first side walls and the bottom, that in each case in a first guide an upper wall area the second side wall is guided vertically or almost vertically and in each case in a second guide, a lower wall portion of the second side wall is guided horizontally or almost horizontally so that the second side wall between the first side walls of the use position with its lower wall portion is slidable towards the center of the floor and at the same time their upper wall portion is lowered to the ground and vice versa, wherein the use position in the outer side of the second side wall in the empty position in the direction of the top of the soil shows.

With the invention, a transport and storage container is provided, which offers an advantageous easy handling. For collapsing the container, the second side walls must be moved from the use position only in the direction of the container interior in their guides here; in the empty position then the shifted in the guides side walls with their previously outwardly facing flat side towards the top of the bottom of the container. Thereafter, the first side walls can be folded or fold automatically by their own weight. By guiding the second side walls on the first side walls and on the bottom, a good cohesion of relatively movable parts of the container with a low-backlash and in the erected state of the side walls in the ideal case even play-free seat. This also advantageously a small distortion of the container at scored upright side walls. Also in the cleaning of this container according to the invention, there are advantages because in automatic cleaning systems, are passed through the container standing upside down, adjust the side walls by gravity automatically so that virtually no overlaps between areas of the side walls occur that complicate cleaning could. Even when erecting the side walls of the flat empty position in the erected use position handling is very simple, because first only the two first opposite side walls must be erected by pivoting, after which it is then sufficient to move the second side walls by exerting a low pulling force upwards, the second side walls slide in their guides with low friction, so that the erection of the side walls as a whole very fast and easy. For rectangular shaped containers, either the two shorter or two longer side walls may be the side walls guided in the guides; each guided in the guides side walls are then the pivotable side walls.

A further embodiment of the transport and storage container according to the invention proposes that the first guide is formed by per second side wall two groove, slot, or web-shaped guideways, the container inside over an upper part of its length in the pivotable first side walls and a lower part of their length in non-pivotable wall bases of the first side walls. With the specified preferred embodiment of the guide high functionality and reliability is achieved in a simple form. The fact that the guideways each extend over a lower part of their length in the non-pivotable wall bases of the first side walls, ensures that the second side walls in its flat position, the pivoting of the first side walls can hinder in any way, but at the same time the leadership of second side walls is preserved; so that an undesirable separation of the second side wall from the rest of the container is safely excluded.

Next, the invention proposes that the second guide by per second side wall at least one groove, slotted or web-shaped guideway is formed, the container inside runs in the ground. In this way, on the one hand simple and on the other hand reliably functioning design is achieved for the second guide, which is favorable for the functionality and durability of the container.

Alternatively, it is provided that the second guide is formed by per second side wall two groove, slot or. Web-shaped guideways, the container inside extend in or on the non-pivotable wall bases of the first side walls. In this embodiment, the guideways are held in the ground even in the wall bases of the soil, thus ensuring a completely flat and uninterrupted ground, which is advantageous or necessary for some applications and transport tasks.

According to a further alternative, it is provided that the second guide is formed by per second side wall two to the container interior recessed steps extending inside the container in or on the non-pivotable wall bases of the first side walls. Also in this embodiment, the guideways are located in the ground even in the wall bases of the soil, thus an absolutely flat and uninterrupted ground is guaranteed, which is advantageous or necessary for some applications and transport tasks. If the second guide is in the wall bases, here also a simple step for the guide can be sufficient, which offers a particularly simple design and thus easy production of the container.

A kinematic reversal of the design of the guides is possible, in which case the guideways eg by Ridges or webs or similar shapes may be formed on the first side walls and on the associated wall sockets, which then cooperate, for example, with mating and shaped grooves on the side of the second side walls. Appropriately, then the ribs or webs are arranged so that they do not protrude into the container interior as possible to protect them from mechanical damage.

To technically and handling moderate little effort an effective backup of the erected second side walls against unwanted automatic adjustment, in particular when stacking a plurality of containers one above the other, it is provided that the second guide has a profile which generates a toggle effect in the upright position of the second side walls, which prevents movement of the lower part of the second side walls towards the container interior when the second side walls are loaded vertically ,

In order for the container to be particularly dimensionally stable in the use position, it is provided that the side walls have releasable centering elements at their side edges which are adjacent to one another in the use position, which are conditionally engaged in a play-free or almost play-free engagement by a wedge-shaped design.

To preclude that the guide elements and guideways are loaded and possibly damaged by forces that occur when containers are stacked or when carrying containers, in particular when loaded, it is preferably provided that the side walls are detachable at their side edges adjacent to each other in the use position. Having in the use position in engagement with each other, occurring in a carrying and / or stacking of containers vertical tensile and compressive forces transmitting engagement elements. The engagement elements ensure here so that the forces are absorbed and transmitted by them, whereby the guide elements and guideways can be relieved of damaging forces or even completely kept free.

Both the centering elements and the engagement elements are expediently arranged so that they engage with each other without particular manipulation when erecting the side walls in the use position and when Adjustment of the side walls in empty position just as easy to disengage.

For a good stability and high load capacity of the container without damage, it is also advantageous to ensure a good cohesion between side walls and floor. For this purpose, the invention proposes that the second side walls and the bottom releasable at their use in the use of adjacent edges, in the use position engaged with each other, vertical compressive and tensile forces transmitting and / or horizontal, acting from the inside to the outside on the second side walls Having forces receiving engagement elements. In this embodiment, in particular tensile forces that occur when carrying the container at its second side walls, bypassing the guide elements and guideways transmitted from the second side walls to the ground and derived harmless. These second engagement elements between the second side walls on the one hand and the ground on the other hand are suitably designed and arranged so that they automatically when erecting the second side walls from the empty position into the use position, that is, without special manual intervention of an operator, engage each other.

Concretely, the engagement elements can be formed, for example, by pairs of projections protruding horizontally in the use position on the one hand, and these form-fitting recesses receiving in the engaged state on the other hand. Between the projections and recesses an intervention can be made in a simple manner and solve in just as simple manner again; At the same time, these pairs of projections and recesses with appropriate design and corresponding number considerable Take up forces, which increases the load capacity of the container when loaded and stacked in loaded condition.

In order to ensure that the engagement elements engage each other without particular attention of an operator of the container, and to achieve a particularly low-backlash connection of the relatively movable parts of the container in the engaged state, preferably the engagement elements are self-centering with inlet slopes or wedge-shaped or conical. This design also ensures that the container is particularly resistant to twisting in the use position of its side walls, which is advantageous for handling and is desired by users of such containers in a special way.

Next, the invention proposes that the pivotable first side walls are connected by hinges to the ground or to the wall bases. This type of connection is known per se and in the container according to the invention for the pivotable side walls, which are not adjusted by means of the guides, advantageously applicable.

In order to ensure a functionally reliable interaction between the second side walls and the guides provided for this purpose, the second side walls expediently engage with protruding guide elements in the guideways of the guides.

In concrete embodiment, it is preferably provided that the guide elements in the guideways of the guides protruding pin or fork-shaped or the guideways of the guides through and behind cross-pin-shaped with a head or fork-shaped. at the pin-shaped, eg cylindrical, executed guide elements results in a particularly simple design and also a particularly simple assembly of the container parts, since such guide elements can be easily moved into their axial direction in the associated guideways. In design of the guide elements in the form of a pin with a head, for example mushroom-shaped or T-shaped or L-shaped, it is ensured that after insertion of the guide elements into the guide tracks, the guide elements can no longer disengage from the guideways in their axial direction, which results in particularly secure cohesion results. The fork-shaped guide elements are particularly suitable for interaction with web-shaped guideways.

In order to avoid that the second side walls can move in an undesired manner automatically from its use position to the empty position, according to a further embodiment of the invention provides that the second side walls and the bottom in their use position adjacent edges in releasable engagement can be brought together , the second side walls in use position holding latching or clamping elements. These elements, for example in the form of locking cams and indentations, ensure that the second side walls can not automatically move out of their use position. At the same time, however, it is ensured that the latching or clamping can be canceled by a simple engagement, in particular by exerting a thrust force on a lower wall region of the second side walls in the direction of the container interior. Thus, the handling of the container remains advantageously simple despite the locking or clamping elements.

Also with regard to the side walls a good cohesion between their adjacent side edges is essential. In view of this, it is proposed that the first side walls and the second side walls in their use position adjacent side edges in releasable engagement with each other, the first and the second side walls in use position holding latching or clamping elements have. Also in this embodiment, the handling of the container remains simple because the handling is not complicated by the locking or clamping elements.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the bottom has at its edges adjacent to the second side walls each have a further wall base whose height is smaller than the height of the wall base of the first side walls. In this embodiment, therefore, the bottom of the container has on all four outer edges of a wall base, these four wall base expediently form a continuous and contiguous Wandsockelzug. This achieves a particularly high stability and thus load-bearing capacity of the bottom of the container, which greatly benefits the stability and load capacity of the container overall. It is advantageous that the wall base of the second side walls are not interrupted by or for hinge parts, which makes it possible to design these wall base particularly stable despite their lower height.

In order to achieve a particularly high stability and load capacity of the bottom of the container and thus also of the container as a whole, all wall bases are preferably integrally formed with the bottom.

Alternatively, in particular for larger containers, there is the possibility that the bottom is formed in several parts is and the wall base and / or the guides are connected to the ground, in particular welded or bolted or riveted.

Depending on the goods to be transported and stored in the transport and storage containers according to the invention, it may happen that the goods give off liquids which are not intended to reach the environment. This is the case, for example, with meat as a load for the containers. In particular, for such applications, the invention proposes that the floor with its wall sockets forms a dense up to the height of the lower wall socket liquid receiving volume. In this way, the container can accommodate a predeterminable volume of liquid without the liquid escaping and flowing into the environment. A desired receiving volume can be determined by the height of the wall base.

In many applications of the transport and storage container according to the invention a special locking of the side walls by separate latch is not required. If particularly high demands are placed on the locking of the side walls in their use position, you can also provide appropriate latch. For this purpose, it is then provided according to the invention that on the outside of the second side walls in the lower wall region adjustable bars are arranged, which lock the second side walls against the first side walls and / or against the ground in a locking position and in a release position, a movement of the second side walls relative to the first sidewalls and to the floor.

In order to keep the handling simple even when the transport and storage container with bolts is preferred, it is preferred provided that the latch are preloaded with a force acting in the direction of the locking position and force by this force when erecting the second sides automatically latching or springing into locking position are transferred and are releasable by exerting an opposite unlocking. In this embodiment, the bolt automatically get into their locked position, without intervention by an operator are necessary. Only to unlock the latch they must be pressed briefly to bring them out of locking engagement. Thus, the transport and storage container remains easy to handle even in its design with movable bars.

Figur 1

einen ersten Behälter in einer schematischen Darstellung in einer perspektivischen Teilansicht in Nutzstellung mit aufgerichteten Seitenwänden,

Figur 2

den Behälter aus Figur 1 zu Beginn eines Verstellens einer der zweiten Seitenwände,

Figur 3

den Behälter aus Figur 1 kurz vor Ende des Verstellens der zweiten Seitenwand,

Figur 4

den Behälter aus Figur 1 nach Verstellen der zweiten Seitenwand und zu Beginn des Verstellens einer der ersten Seitenwände,

Figur 5

den Behälter aus Figur 1 in Leerstellung am Ende des Verstellens auch der ersten Seitenwand,

Figur 6

einen konkret ausgeführten Behälter in einer perspektivischen Totalansicht schräg von oben in Nutzstellung mit aufgerichteten Seitenwänden,

Figur 7

einen Ausschnitt aus dem Behälter gemäß Figur 6 in perspektivischer Ansicht schräg von oben,

Figur 8

den Behälter gemäß Figur 7 während des Verstellens einer der zweiten Seitenwände,

Figur 9

den Behälter aus Figur 7 nach dem Verstellen der zweiten Seitenwand,

Figur 10

den Behälter aus Figur 7 während des Verstellens einer der ersten Seitenwände,

Figur 11

den Behälter gemäß Figur 7 nach dem Verstellen der zweiten und der ersten Seitenwand und

Figur 12

den Behälter gemäß Figur 6 in einer perspektivischen Totalansicht schräg von oben mit verstellten, in einer flachen Leerstellung befindlichen Seitenwänden, wobei jeweils nur eine erste und eine zweite Seitenwand dargestellt ist.

In the following two embodiments of the invention will be explained. The figures of the drawing show:

FIG. 1

a first container in a schematic representation in a perspective partial view in Nutzstellung with erected side walls,

FIG. 2

the container off FIG. 1 at the beginning of adjusting one of the second side walls,

FIG. 3

the container off FIG. 1 shortly before the end of adjusting the second side wall,

FIG. 4

the container off FIG. 1 after adjusting the second side wall and at the beginning of adjusting one of the first side walls,

FIG. 5

the container off FIG. 1 in idle position at the end of adjusting also the first side wall,

FIG. 6

a concretely executed container in a perspective total view obliquely from above in use position with erected side walls,

FIG. 7

a section of the container according to FIG. 6 in perspective view obliquely from above,

FIG. 8

the container according to FIG. 7 while adjusting one of the second side walls,

FIG. 9

the container off FIG. 7 after adjusting the second side wall,

FIG. 10

the container off FIG. 7 while adjusting one of the first side walls,

FIG. 11

the container according to FIG. 7 after adjusting the second and the first side wall and

FIG. 12

the container according to FIG. 6 in an overall perspective view obliquely from above with adjusted, located in a flat empty position sidewalls, in each case only a first and a second side wall is shown.

The FIGS. 1 to 5 the drawing each show in a schematic representation in perspective view obliquely from above a rear right quarter of a container 1 in different positions of its side walls 10 and 20, of which only one is shown in each case in half, to obtain a clear view.

In FIG. 1 the container 1 is shown with erected side walls 10 and 20, ie in its use position. In this position of use, the side walls 10 and 20, which are each provided in duplicate and in pairs opposite one another, form a circumferential wall pull, so that a usable inner volume of the container 1 is formed.

In order to store and transport empty containers 1 space-saving, the side walls 10 and 20 of the container 1 are made adjustable. The first side walls 10 are pivotally connected to a wall base 31, which in turn is an integral part of the bottom 30 of the container 1.

The second side walls 20 are connected by means of two guides 41, 42 and cooperating guide elements 51, 52 between the in FIG. 1 illustrated upright use position and a flat empty position transferred. As the FIG. 1 illustrates, the first guide 41 extends in the form of a slot-shaped guide track here approximately vertically in the region of that side edge 16 of the first side wall 10, which is the second side wall 20 adjacent, on the inside of the first side wall 10. In this first guide 41 engages the first guide element 51, which is disposed on the side edge 26 of the second side wall 20 in the upper wall portion 22 thereof.

The second guide 42 extends in the form of a substantially horizontal guide track through the container interior facing side of the wall socket 31. In this second guide 42 engages the second guide member 52 of the second side wall 20 a. The second guide member 52 is also adjacent to the first side wall 10 Side edge 16, but arranged in the lower wall portion 23 of the second side wall 20.

In the in FIG. 1 shown state of use position is the second side wall 20 with its lower edge 26 'on top of a wall base 32, which is also integral with the bottom 30 and on the second side wall 20 parallel to the bottom edge 36 is located.

The first guide 41 extends over the upper, greater part of its length in the first side wall 10 and with a shorter, lower part of its length in the wall base 31, which lies below the first side wall 10.

The wall base 31 and 32 form on the outside a circumferential stacking edge 19 ', with a container 1 can be placed on a similar container 1 or a different, the same dimensions having container. In the illustrated container 1, the upper side of the erected side walls 10 and 20 forms a circumferential upper stack edge 19.

In the in FIG. 1 shown use position of the container 1 goods can be placed on the top 33 of the bottom 30 to store them in the container 1 and / or to transport.

In order to save space in empty containers 1 for their transport and storage, the side walls 10 and 20 from the in FIG. 1 shown utility position are converted into a space-saving empty position in which they assume a position parallel to the top 33 of the bottom 30, as shown in FIG. 5 as a result of merging is shown.

FIG. 2 shows first the beginning of adjusting one of the second side walls 20, which occupies an intermediate position here. In this position, the side wall 20 passes through movement in the two guides 41 and 42, wherein the lower wall portion 23 of the second side wall 20 with the lower edge 26 'is moved toward the interior of the container 1 first. This simultaneously results in that the upper wall portion 22 is moved with the handle opening 21 in a substantially vertical downward direction. The first side wall 10 still retains its upright position at first.

FIG. 3 shows the second side wall 20 just before reaching its flat position. In the in FIG. 3 In the state shown, the first guide element 51 passes straight from the upper part of the first guide 41, which lies in the first side wall 10, in the lower, second part of the first guide 41, which is in wall base 31. The second guide element 52 is here already just before the end of the associated second guide 42, which runs completely through the wall base 31 here. Also in this state of the container 1 according to FIG. 3 the first side wall 10 still has its upright position.

In FIG. 4 the second side wall 20 has reached its flat end or empty position. In this position, the second side wall 20 lies flat with its previously outwardly facing flat side on the upper side 33 of the bottom 30 of the container 1. Here, in the erected state of the second side wall 20 below edge 26 'of the side wall 20 now to the center of the container bottom 30. The upper wall portion 22 in the erected state of the second side wall 20 is now close to the wall base 32. The first guide member 51 is now in the lower, in the Wall socket 31 extending portion of the first guide 41, whereby now any connection between the first side wall 10 and the second side wall 20 is repealed. In this state, the first side wall 10 is now freely pivotable, in order to convert these into a flat position. It shows the FIG. 4 the first side wall 10 in a partially pivoted position.

In FIG. 5 is now also the first side wall 10 completely pivoted downwards, after which now the first side wall 10 assumes a flat, horizontal position parallel to the bottom 30. Here, the first side wall 10 lies with its side edge 16 on the upper side of the wall base 32.

Top in FIG. 5 is still a part of the lower second part of the first guide 41 with the guide element 51 engaging therein recognizable.

As already mentioned, the show FIGS. 1 to 5 In each case, only the rear right quarter of the container 1. In reality, the container 1 is of course completely executed with a bottom 30 which is four times as large as the detail that the FIGS. 1 to 5 demonstrate. The first and second side wall 10, 20 are each twice as long and mirror-symmetrically opposite to each pair provided. The first side walls 10 may be the longer or the shorter side walls of a container 1 with a rectangular bottom 30, in which case the second side walls 20 correspondingly are the shorter or the longer side walls of the container 1.

The FIGS. 6 to 12 the drawing show in contrast to the schematic representation in the FIGS. 1 to 5 now a concretely designed container 1.

In FIG. 6 the concrete container 1 is shown completely in a perspective view obliquely from above. In this case, the four side walls 10, 20 are in an erect position, so that the container 1 so here has its use position in which it can be used for storage and transport of goods.

The bottom part of the container 1 also forms the bottom 30 with its wall sockets 31 and 32. The wall base 31 are below the first, here longer side walls 10, while the wall base 32 are below the second, here shorter side walls 20. The wall base 31 and 32 are made in one piece with the rest of the bottom 30, which, as well as the side walls, preferably an injection molded part made of thermoplastic material.

The first side walls 10 are pivotally connected to the floor 30, for which purpose a plurality of hinges 12 are provided between the lower edge of the first side walls 10 and the associated wall bases 31 of the floor 30.

The second side walls 20 are not pivotable in contrast to the first side walls 10, but in associated guides 41, 42 by means of guide elements 51, 52 slidably. Each of the second side walls 20 has left and right above each having a first guide member 51 and left and right below each second guide member 52. For each of these four guide members 51, 52 each have a guide 41, 42 are provided, the first guides 41 respectively substantially vertically in the adjacent regions of the second side walls 20 and extend over a shorter lower portion in the wall bases 31, while each second guide 42 extend substantially horizontally over the container interior facing side of the wall base 31 under the first side walls 10.

In the in FIG. 6 shown state of the container 1 with erected side walls 10 and 20, these are locked against each other and / or jammed, that an unintentional adjustment of the side walls 10, 20 does not occur from the erected position.

In the in FIG. 6 As shown, the container 1 has an upper-side stacking edge 19, which is formed by the peripheral upper edge of the erected side walls 10 and 20, and a lower-side stacking edge 19 ', which is formed by the underside of the four wall base 31 and 32. With the help of the stack edges 19, 19 ', containers 1 can be stacked on top of each other so that they can be displaced, with the lower stack edge 19' in each case engaging in the upper stack edge 19. A stacking with conventional containers with corresponding, same dimensions is possible.

To be able to carry the container 1 manually, in the example according to FIG. 6 all side walls 10, 20 each have a handle opening 11, 21 which is recessed in each case in the upper region near the upper stack edge 19 of the respective side wall 10, 20. In addition, here in all side walls 10, 20 even more openings 11 ', 21' are provided, which are used in particular for the ventilation of stored in the container 1 and transported goods.

FIG. 7 shows for clarity and on a larger scale a section, namely the rear right quarter of the container 1 FIG. 6 , also in perspective view obliquely from above. In each case, each of a first side wall 10 and second side wall 20, only one half is shown; from the bottom 30 is only in accordance with FIG. 6 rear right quarter in FIG. 7 shown.

Also in FIG. 7 have the side walls 10, 20 their upright position, as in FIG. 6 , In the FIG. 7 the right side visible first side wall 10 has near its side edge 16, the approximately vertical first guide 41 in the form of a groove which receives the first guide member 51 of the second side wall 20. The first guide element 51 is arranged near the side wall 26 of the second side wall 20 adjacent to the first side wall 10 in its upper wall region 22.

Below the first side wall 10 is the wall base 31, which is also embodied here in one piece with the rest of the bottom 30 of the container 1. Substantially parallel to the bottom 30, the second guide 42 also extends in the form of a slot through the wall base 31. In this second guide 42 engages the second guide member 52 of the second side wall 20 a. The second guide element 52 likewise sits close to the side edge 16, facing the first side wall 10, of the second side wall 20 in its lower edge region 23.

In the erected state, the first side wall 10 rests on the wall base 31. The second side wall 20 is in the erected state with its lower edge 26 'on the second wall base 32.

To the side walls 10, 20 in their erected position according to FIG. 7 Sufficient to secure, on the one hand between the side walls 10, 20 and on the other provided between the side wall 20 and the bottom 30 elements that define the walls 10, 20 and the bottom 30 in position relative to each other, and so protect against accidental flattening of the side walls 10, 20. Of these elements are in FIG. 7 Detent elements 25, 35 can be seen, which are arranged on the one hand on the underside 26 'of the second side wall 20 and on the other hand on the upper side of the second wall base 32, here formed. In the erected position of the second side wall 20, these locking elements 25, 35 ensure that the lower wall portion 23 can not move automatically and unintentionally in the direction of the container interior. Such a movement is possible only after releasing the latching elements 25, 35 by exerting a correspondingly large pushing force from outside to inside on the lower wall area 23.

In FIG. 7 It will be appreciated that the second guide 42 has a configuration that assists in securing the second side wall 20 in the erected position. The second guide 42 has seen in its direction near the second wall base 32 end portion in a direction from the center of the container bottom 30 to the second side wall 20 initially rising and then slightly sloping course. This course ensures that in the use position on the one hand the second side wall 20 is clamped against the first side wall 10 in the vertical direction and that on the other hand, the second side wall 20 is secured in its vertical position shown, because for moving out of this vertical position first, the second guide element 52 must be moved over an increase of the second guide 42, for which purpose a force must be exerted from the outside to the inside acting on the lower wall portion 23. As long as no external forces act, the described form of the second guide with the thus achieved toggle effect ensures a backup of second side wall 20 in its vertical position. This safeguard is particularly effective and important for vertically acting from top to bottom on the second side walls 20, eg, in stacks of containers, which could otherwise cause the bottom wall portion of the second side walls 20 to undesirably dodge towards the interior of the container.

In contrast to the second side walls 20 which are displaceable in guides 41, 42, the first side walls 10 are pivotable relative to the base 30 via the hinges 12.

FIG. 8 shows in the same way as FIG. 7 now a first phase of the collapsing of the container 1, in which the second side wall 20 is partially displaced in the guides 41, 42 by means of their guide elements 51, 52. Here, in the first, substantially vertical guide 41, the first guide element 51 has moved downwards over part of the length of the guide 41, at the same time the second guide element 52 extends over part of the length of the second guide 42, which is substantially horizontal runs, has moved away from the second wall base 32 toward the container interior. The displacement of the second side wall 20 thus takes place with the lower edge 26 'and the lower wall portion 23 in the direction of the container interior, while the upper wall portion 22 is moved substantially vertically and parallel to the side edge 16 of the first side wall 10 from top to bottom.

Due to the changed position of the second side wall 20, a further latching element 25 is now visible at the lower edge 26 ', which with the top of the second wall base 32 cooperates detent in the fully erected state of the second side wall 20.

Further engagement elements 24 'and 34 are now also visible, on the left side of the cut second side wall 20 and the cut wall base 32. The engagement elements 24' and 34 engage each other when erected second side wall 20 so that they have vertical tensile and compressive forces , which occur when carrying and stacking the container 1, record and forward and so keep the guide members 51, 52 of these potentially harmful loads.

Further engagement elements 14 as well as an uppermost centering element 14 'are recognizable on the side edge 16 of the first side wall 10. These interact with engaging elements that are connected to the in FIG. 8 right side edge 26 of the second side wall 20 are provided. By means of the engagement and centering elements 14 and 14 'are collected mainly vertical tensile forces on the second side walls 20 when carrying and horizontal forces at stack load. By play-free connection of the centering elements 14 'of the two first side walls 10 to the two second side walls 20, a higher torsional rigidity of the entire container 1 is achieved.

By means of the engagement elements 14 of the first side wall 10 and the non-visible, associated engagement elements on the second side wall 20 vertical and horizontal forces are absorbed and transmitted to relieve the guide elements 51, 52.

In FIG. 9 is the second side wall 20 shown in its fully disguised state in which they are here flat on the floor 30 rests. Depending on the design of the container 1, the second side walls 20 in the empty position may alternatively also have a slight oblique position relative to the top side 33 of the bottom 30. The upper wall region 22, which is in the upright position of the second side wall 20, now lies close to the second wall base 32, while the wall region 23 which is lower in the upright position of the second side wall 20 is now displaced toward the center of the bottom 30. The guide elements 51 and 52 are now each at the end of the associated guides 41 and 42. The end portion of the first guide 41 lies in the first wall base 31, so that the first guide member 51, which now in the lower end of the first guide 41 in the wall base 31st is no longer engaged with the first side wall 10 has. As a result, the first side wall 10 is now free for pivoting about the hinges 12 in the direction of the floor 30.

On the side edge 16 of the first side wall 10, the superposed spaced engaging elements 14 can be seen, which belong to the down here and therefore not visible for the most part engaging elements 24 of the second side wall 20 and in the erected state of the side walls 10, 20 in Engage with each other.

On the top of the second wall base 32, one of the locking elements 35 is visible, which cooperates with the associated latching element 25 on the lower edge 26 'of the second side wall 20 in its upright position. To the left of the latching element 35 lies on the upper side of the second wall base 32 the engagement element 34, which cooperates with the engagement element 24 'on the lower edge 26' of the second side wall 20 in its upright position.

FIG. 10 now shows the first side wall 10 during its pivoting about the hinges 12 from its erected position in the retracted position. There, as in FIG. 9 explained, the second side wall 20 in its flat position has no engagement with the first side wall 10 more, the pivoting of the first side wall 10 from the erected position in the pivoted, lowered position is possible without hindrance.

FIG. 11 now shows first side wall 10 in its fully lowered position in which it lies above the previously lowered second side wall 20 and rests with its side edge 16 on top of the second wall base 32. The upper side of the first wall base 31 now forms a stacking edge 19 '', on which further containers 1 of the same dimensions can be placed against displacement. In this case, the other attached container 1 can be placed both with upright and flattened side walls 10, 20 or be conventional container of suitable dimensions.

FIG. 12 also shows a perspective view obliquely from above the container 1 with fully illustrated bottom 20 and a respective first side wall 10 and second side wall 20 in the empty position in which the side walls 10, 20 are adjusted in a position parallel to the bottom 30. The two wall bases 32 located at the rear left and at the front right now clearly show the engagement elements 34, which are now completely visible and which each have the shape of a bow. Thus, the engagement elements 24 'cooperate, which have a mating to the engagement elements 34, when erected second side walls 20 outwardly facing nose shape.

Front left and rear right are the two first wall base 31, which are associated with the first side walls 10. In the area of this first wall base 31, the two first side walls 10 are connected via the hinges 12 to the bottom 30 pivotally.

In the FIG. 12 for reasons of clarity, not shown further second side wall 20, to the in FIG. 12 belongs in the illustrated empty state of the container 1 mirror-symmetrical to the illustrated second side wall 20 also on the upper side of the bottom 30th

The also not shown for clarity reasons further first side wall 10 is in the empty position of the container 1 mirror-symmetrical to the illustrated first side wall 10 also on the second side walls 20 and on top of the second wall base 32. The two bow-shaped engagement elements 34 at the top of the second wall base 32 lie between the in the pivoted position of the first side walls 10 facing each other stacking edges 19 of the first side walls 10 near the side edges sixteenth

How special the FIG. 12 clearly shows, the height of the container 1 in the empty state with adjusted to a position parallel to the bottom 30 side walls 10, 20 determined by the height of the first wall socket 31, which is only a fraction of the height of the container with erected side walls 10, 20. When empty, the containers 1 can be stored and transported in a particularly space-saving manner.

To erect the side walls 10, 20 of the container 1 from the in FIG. 12 shown empty position, first, the two first side walls 10 and the hinges 12 are pivoted in an upright position. Thereafter, the second side walls 20 are preferably grasped at the handle openings 21 and pulled outwardly and upwardly under the guidance of the guide members 51, 52 in the guides 41, 42 until they assume their vertical position as shown in Figs FIG. 6 is shown.

As a rule, it is sufficient for the empty weight of the container 1 to bring the second side walls 20 into the final position in the vertical position when they are lifted on the handle openings 21, in which the engaging and centering elements 14, 14 'and 24, 24' and 34 and the latching elements 25 and 35 engage with each other. If necessary, the engagement may be finally made by exerting a force on the lower wall portion 23 of the second side walls 20 from inside to outside at approximately fully upright position.

When erecting the side walls 10, 20, the aforementioned engaging and locking elements come into engagement with each other such that the side walls 10, 20 against each other and against the bottom 30 are fixed in position and no longer can move unintentionally automatically. Only by exerting a correspondingly directed adjusting force can a collapse of the container 1 take place. By a slight play of the side walls 10, 20 relative to each other and to the bottom 30, a particularly good cohesion of the parts of the container is achieved in its use position, in particular an advantageously high torsional strength of the container 1 is achieved.

Claims (22)

1. A transport and storage container (1) comprising a rectangular floor (30) and four sidewalls (10, 20) which are adjustable between an upright deployed position and a flat empty position, wherein two mutually opposite first sidewalls (10) can be pivoted in relation to the floor (30) about a pivot axis extending in parallel to the floor, wherein, at their lateral edges (16, 26) which are adjacent to each other, the sidewalls (10, 20) are in detachable engagement with each other and form a circumferential train of walls while the container is in the upright deployed position, and wherein, in the empty position, the sidewalls (10, 20) are out of engagement with each other and lie flat in parallel to the floor (30),
   characterized in that two mutually opposite second sidewalls (20) are guided without pivot axis in guides (41, 42) on the first sidewalls (10) and on the floor (30), that an upper wall region (22) of the second sidewall (20) is each guided vertically or almost vertically in a first guide (41) and a lower wall region (23) of the second sidewall (20) is each guided horizontally or almost horizontally in a second guide (42) such that the second sidewall (20) can be moved between the first sidewalls (10) from the deployed position towards the center of the floor (30) with its lower wall region (23) coming first while, at the same time, its upper wall region (22) can be lowered to the floor (30) and vice versa, wherein, in the empty position, that side of the second sidewall (20) that is on the outside in the deployed position points towards the upper side (33) of the floor (30).
2. The transport and storage container according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first guide (41) is formed by two groove-shaped, slotted or web-like guideways on each second sidewall (20), said guideways extending in the pivotable first sidewalls (10) over an upper part of their length and in non-pivotable wall bases (31) of the first sidewalls (10) over a lower part of their length, both on the inside of the container.
3. The transport and storage container according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second guide (42) is formed by at least one groove-shaped, slotted or web-like guideway on each second sidewall (20), said guideway extending in the floor (30) on the inside of the container.
4. The transport and storage container according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the second guide (42) is formed by two groove-shaped, slotted or web-like guideways on each second sidewall (20), said guideways extending in or on the non-pivotable wall bases (31) of the first sidewalls (10) on the inside of the container.
5. The transport and storage container according to Claim 2, characterized in that the second guide (42) is formed by two steps on each second sidewall (20), said steps projecting towards the inner region of the container and extending in or on the non-pivotable wall bases (31) of the first sidewalls (10) on the inside of the container.
6. The transport and storage container according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second guide (42) is extending such that, with the second sidewalls (20) being in the upright position, a toggle effect is produced which prevents the lower part (23) of the second sidewalls (20) from moving towards the inner region of the container while the second sidewalls (20) are under a vertical load.
7. The transport and storage container according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sidewalls (10, 20) comprise detachable centering elements (14') at their lateral edges (16, 26) which are adjacent to each other in the deployed position, said centering elements (14') being designed in the form of a wedge and, therefore, being in zero-play or almost zero-play engagement in the deployed position.
8. The transport and storage container according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sidewalls (10, 20) comprise detachable engagement elements (14, 24) at their lateral edges (16, 26) which are adjacent to each other in the deployed position, said engagement elements (14, 24) being in engagement with each other in the deployed position and transferring vertical tensile and compressive forces occurring while containers (1) are carried and/or stacked.
9. The transport and storage container according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second sidewalls (20) and the floor (30) comprise detachable engagement elements (24', 34) at their edges (26', 36) which are adjacent to each other in the deployed position, said engagement elements (24', 34) being in engagement with each other in the deployed position, transferring vertical compressive and tensile forces and/or absorbing horizontal forces acting on the second sidewalls from within outward.
10. The transport and storage container according to anyone of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the engagement elements (14, 24; 24', 34) and/or the centering elements (14') are, on the one hand, formed by pairs of projections protruding horizontally in the deployed position and, on the other hand, by shape-adjusted recesses receiving said projections in the engaged state.
11. The transport and storage container according to anyone of Claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the engagement elements (14, 24; 24' 34) are self-centering and designed with inlet inclinations or wedge-shaped or conically.
12. The transport and storage container according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivotable first sidewalls (10) are connected to the floor (30) or to the wall bases (31) via hinges (12) .
13. The transport and storage container according to anyone of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the second sidewalls (20) engage, with projecting guide elements (51, 52), the guideways of the guides (41, 42).
14. The transport and storage container according to Claim 13, characterized in that the guide elements (51, 52), while projecting into the guideways of the guides (41, 42), are designed in the form of a pin or fork or, while engaging through and behind the guideways of the guides (41, 42), said guide elements (51, 52) are designed in the form of a pin with a head or in the form of a fork.
15. The transport and storage container according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second sidewalls (20) and the floor (30) comprise locking or clamping elements (25, 35) at their edges (26', 36), which edges (26', 36) are adjacent to each other in the deployed position, wherein said locking or clamping elements (25, 35) can be brought into detachable engagement with each other and retain the second sidewalls in the deployed position.
16. The transport and storage container according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first sidewalls (10) and the second sidewalls (20) comprise locking or clamping elements (14) at their lateral edges (16, 26), which edges (16, 26) are adjacent to each other in the deployed position, wherein said locking or clamping elements (14) can be brought into detachable engagement with each other and retain the first and the second sidewalls (10, 20) in the deployed position.
17. The transport and storage container according to anyone of Claims 2 to 16, characterized in that the floor (30) comprises a further wall base (32) at each of its edges (36) which are adjacent to the second sidewalls (20), said further wall base (32) being lower in height than the wall bases (31) of the first sidewalls (10).
18. The transport and storage container according to Claim 17, characterized in that all wall bases (31, 32) are formed integrally with the floor (30).
19. The transport and storage container according to Claim 17, characterized in that the floor (30) is formed of multiple parts and the wall bases (31, 32) and/or the guides (41, 42) are connected to the floor (30).
20. The transport and storage container according to Claims 18 or 19, characterized in that, with its wall bases (31, 32), the floor (30) forms a fluid receiving volume that is tight up to the height of the lower wall bases (32).
21. The transport and storage container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that adjustable bars are arranged on the outside of the second sidewalls (20) in the lower wall region (23) thereof, said bars locking the second sidewalls (20) against the first sidewalls (10) and/or against the floor (30) in a locking position and release a movement of the second sidewalls (20) in relation to the first sidewalls (10) and to the floor (30) in a releasing position.
22. The transport and storage container according to Claim 21, characterized in that the bars are preloaded with a force acting towards the locking position and, when the second sidewalls (20) are erected, can be transferred to the locking position by this force in a manner that locks or deflects them automatically into position and can be released by exerting an oppositely acting unlocking force.

Images