EP2296989B1 - Portable container - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a portable container, comprising a container body and a movable carrying handle arranged on the container body, wherein the container body has a top side facing upwards when receiving a first container orientation, where it is provided with a recess bounded by a side wall and wherein the movable Cartridge can be positioned either in a position of use protruding upwards over the container body when the first container orientation is taken or in a non-use position approximated to the container body in this respect.

One from the EP 0 555 533 B1 known container of this type has a container body consisting of a box-shaped or cup-shaped base and a lid pivotally mounted on the lower part. In the usually present container orientation, the lid is on top so as to make it accessible for opening one of the container body Container interior is easy to handle. For transporting the container is arranged on the top of the container body on the lid carrying handle, which is optionally in an upwardly projecting beyond the container body position of use or in a non-use position in which it sunks in a recess of the lid comes to rest, is pivotable.

EP 0 997 234 A1 discloses a container according to the preamble of claim 1.

Especially in containers with a relatively large floor plan carrying the container by means of pivoted in the use position carrying handle is sometimes not optimal, because the usually centrally arranged at the top carrying handle in this case in a relatively large distance from the body of the person carrying the container lie comes. In the EP 1 059 240 B1 It has therefore already been proposed, in particular in the case of containers of relatively small height, whose dimensions are similar to those of briefcases, to enable transport in an upright standing second container orientation. For this purpose, the movable carrying handle can be pulled out into a narrowed side of the container body pre-stored further use position upon receipt of a pivoted to the container body position. However, this solution, which in principle works very well, is relatively complicated in terms of technical implementation.

It is the object of the present invention to propose measures with which the wearing comfort of the container can be improved in a simple and cost-effective manner.

To achieve this object, it is provided in connection with the features mentioned above that a longitudinal section of the side wall of the recess formed on the upper side of the container body forms an immovable auxiliary carrying handle which can be used alternatively to the movable carrying handle, in that this longitudinal section has an engagement recess which is open towards the recess, which can be engaged from below for carrying the container with the fingers of one hand when the container body occupies a second container orientation with a sideways-oriented top.

In this way, it is possible to optionally transport the container in one of two alternative container orientations. Here, for grasping with one hand either in the first container orientation, the movable carrying handle is used or, in the second container orientation, the immovable additional carrying handle. Above all, containers which have a relatively small height in relation to the length and width, somewhat similar to briefcases, can be conveniently transported using the additional carrying handle in a manner very close to the body. The intervention recess ensures a secure holding the container without risk of slipping of the engaging in the additional carrying handle hand.

Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

The longitudinal portion of the side wall of the side wall of the recess arranged on the upper side of the container body is expediently arranged eccentrically on the upper side in such a way that the engagement recess faces the center of the upper side. Thus, the additional carrying handle is ingested with the second container orientation above the container center, so that the container automatically assumes a stable position when gripping the additional carrying handle.

The additional carrying handle suitably has a linear longitudinal course and is preferably arranged so that it extends parallel to the front or rear side wall of the container body.

The movable handle could, for example, be arranged displaceably or telescopically on the container body. Particularly useful, however, a design is considered in which it is pivotally mounted on the container body, so that Its position can be varied by simply pivoting.

Preferably, the movable carrying handle is designed in the manner of a bow handle. In this case, it expediently has a grip web which can be gripped around by hand, to which a grip leg adjoins on both sides, wherein the two grip arms are mounted movably and in particular pivotably on the container body.

It is advantageous if the movable carrying handle immersed in the non-use position at least partially and preferably total liability in the container body. In particular, he comes in the non-use position sunk in such a way in the top of the container body that he does not project beyond the container body. In this way, the top of the container body, for example, can be easily used to park another container or other object in a stable position on it.

The movable handle dips in the non-use position in exactly that recess at the top of the container body, whose side wall forms the engagement recess of the additional carrying handle. Thus, one and the same recess assigned an advantageous dual function be with ease of manufacture and without affecting the stability of the wall of the container body.

So that the movable carrying handle securely remains in the non-use position even in the case of possible vibrations when the container is transported by using the additional carrying handle, it is expedient to provide corresponding securing means. Such securing means are in particular designed as latching means which can be operated with little effort, in particular without additional handling operation directly by the relative to the container body taking place moving the carrying handle when changing its position. The container body expediently has a box-shaped or dish-shaped lower part lying down on receipt of the first container orientation and a cover associated with the opening of the lower part which points upwards. The lid can optionally be positioned in a closed position closing the opening or at least one open position lifted from the lid. It is in particular mounted pivotably on the lower part and can be fixed to this in the closed position expediently by Verrieglungsmittel. The recess which contributes to the formation of the additional carrying handle is preferably at least partially and in particular, the entire length is formed in the lid. The movable carrying handle is preferably also mounted on the cover.

Figur 1

eine bevorzugte Bauform des erfindungsgemäßen Behälters in perspektivischer Darstellung bei Einnahme einer ersten Behälterausrichtung und gleichzeitig in die Nichtgebrauchsstellung bewegtem beweglichen Tragegriff,

Figur 2

den Behälter aus Figur 1 im in eine Offenstellung bewegten Zustand seines Deckels,

Figur 3

den Behälter aus Figur 1 im in die Gebrauchsstellung bewegten Zustand seines beweglichen Tragegriffes,

Figur 4

eine Draufsicht auf die Oberseite des Behälters mit Blickrichtung gemäß Pfeil IV aus Figur 1,

Figur 5

einen Querschnitt gemäß Schnittlinie V-V durch den Behälter aus Figur 1, wobei der bewegliche Tragegriff strichpunktiert bei Einnahme der Gebrauchsstellung angedeutet ist,

Figur 6

einen Querschnitt gemäß Schnittlinie VI-VI durch den Behälter aus Figur 1,

Figur 7

einen Querschnitt gemäß Schnittlinie VII-VII durch den Behälter gemäß Figur 3,

Figur 8

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Behälters bei Einnahme seiner bezüglich Figur 1 um 90 Grad um eine horizontale Achse verschwenkten zweiten Behälterausrichtung zur Nutzung des Zusatztragegriffes, und

Figur 9

einen Schnitt durch den Behälter aus Figur 8 gemäß Schnittlinie IX-IX, wobei ergänzend eine an dem Zusatztragegriff angreifende menschliche Hand angedeutet ist.

In order to be able to releasably connect a plurality of containers stacked on one another, the container may have suitable coupling means, wherein the engagement recess preferably forms part of these coupling means. The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this show:

FIG. 1

a preferred design of the container according to the invention in perspective view when taking a first container orientation and simultaneously moved to the non-use position movable carrying handle,

FIG. 2

the container off FIG. 1 in the state moved in an open position of its lid,

FIG. 3

the container off FIG. 1 in the moving in the use position state of its movable handle,

FIG. 4

a plan view of the top of the container as viewed from arrow IV FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5

a cross section along section line VV through the container FIG. 1 , wherein the movable carrying handle is indicated by dash-dotted lines when assuming the position of use,

FIG. 6

a cross section along section line VI-VI through the container FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7

a cross section along section line VII-VII through the container according to FIG. 3 .

FIG. 8

a perspective view of the container when taking his respect FIG. 1 pivoted about 90 degrees about a horizontal axis second container orientation for using the additional carrying handle, and

FIG. 9

a section through the container FIG. 8 according to section line IX-IX, wherein a supplementary attack on the additional carrying handle human hand is indicated.

The designated overall by reference numeral 1 container is suitable for storage and transportation of any objects, with a focus of its use is that of the storage of machine-operated machining tools, in particular pneumatic and / or power tools. The container 1 is designed so that it can be grasped and carried with one hand in order to transport it between different locations.

The container 1 has a preferably cuboid-shaped container body 2, which defines a designated as a receiving space 3 interior, which is usable for receiving the already mentioned items. The container body 2 has an upper side 4, which faces vertically upward, when the container body 2 its from FIGS. 1 to 7 apparent spatial orientation, which is referred to in the following as the first container orientation.

On the container body 2, a movable carrying handle 5 is arranged, which can be detected with one hand to transport the container 1, while maintaining the first container orientation of the container body 2.

In addition, the container body 2 is also with one of the movable handle 5 independent and immovable, rigidly arranged on the container body 2 arranged additional carrying handle 6. This can be used to transport the container 1 with a portrait orientation of the container body 2, that is to say when the container body 2 has the second container orientation shown by way of example in FIGS. 8 and 9, in which the upper side 4 is oriented sideways.

The container 1 can then be transported similar to a briefcase. The second container orientation can be achieved in particular by twisting or swiveling the container body 2 by 90 degrees about an imaginary horizontal axis, starting from the first container orientation.

Preferably, the container body 2 is constructed in several parts. By way of example, it has a box-shaped or dish-shaped lower part 7 lying below in the first container orientation with a bottom wall 8 lying below and a frame-shaped circumferential side wall 12 projecting upwards from the bottom wall 8. Preferably, the side wall 12 is composed of a front side 13 the tank body 2 associated front side wall portion 15 and an opposite rear side 14 of the container body 2 associated rear side wall portion 16 together, as well as two opposite lateral side wall portions 17, 18th

The container body 2 also includes one of the in the first container orientation upwardly facing opening 22 of the lower part 7 associated cover 23. This may be box-shaped or cup-shaped and may in any case a resting on the upper edge of the side wall 12 of the lower part 7, for example FIGS. 1 and 5 to 7 assume apparent closed position in which it covers the opening 22, so that the receiving space 3 is completed to the environment.

In order to make the receiving space 3 accessible for loading and unloading, the lid 23 can be lifted from the lower part 7. It is a design conceivable in which the lid 23 can be completely removed from the lower part 7. Expediently, however, is usually realized in the embodiment variant in which the lid 23 is pivotally mounted on the lower part. The provided for this purpose, in particular designed as hinges pivot bearing means 24 are arranged in particular in the region of the back 14, wherein they can be arranged on the part 7 of the lower side wall portion 16 and / or on the two lateral side wall portions 17, 18. The pivot bearing means 24 define an in FIG. 2 dash-dotted lines indicated, when taking the first container orientation horizontally extending pivot axis 25th

The lid 23 can be immovably fixed when taking the closed position with respect to the lower part 7. Serve for this purpose arranged on the container body 2 locking means 26a, 26b which are located partly on the lid 23 and partly on the lower part 7.

In the preferred embodiment, arranged on the cover 23 first locking means 26a formed by a particular designed as a rotary latch movable latch member 27 and disposed on the lower part 7 locking means 26b consist of at least one rigid locking projection 28. The movable latch member 27 may take on the closed position of the lid 23rd optionally in one FIG. 1 apparent locking position or in an off FIG. 2 be positioned clear release position. In the locking position it is lockingly engaged with the locking projection 28 in the release position, this locking engagement is released, so that the lid 23 can be opened.

Conveniently, the locking means 26a, 26b are located on the front side 13 of the container body 2.

While in the embodiment, the locking means 26a, 26b are only present in a simple manner and in particular in the longitudinal center In principle, a plurality of such locking means 26a, 26b could also be present in a mutually spaced arrangement.

The movable carrying handle 5 is preferably located overall on the upper side 4 of the container body 2. It is mounted so as to be movable on the lid 23 such that it optionally has one FIGS. 1 . 4 to 6 such as 8 and 9 apparent non-use position or one off Figures 3 and 7 can assume apparent position of use. The position change movement which can be generated manually for changing the position is in FIG FIG. 5 indicated at 32 by a double arrow and is preferably a pivoting movement by the movable carrying handle 5 is pivotally mounted on the container body 2. Preferably, the storage takes place on the part of the container body 2 exclusively on the lid 23, although it would be possible in principle to provide this storage on the lower part 7, in particular in conjunction with the fact that the movable carrying handle 5, the lid 23 overlaps laterally.

To realize the pivotal mounting of the movable handle 5 serve in the embodiment of two fixed in the cover 23 bearing shafts 33, which are arranged at a distance from each other and aligned coaxially to each other and each enforce a portion of the movable handle 5.

The bearing shafts 23 thus jointly define a horizontally extending ingestion of the first container orientation, in FIG. 4 dash-dotted lines indicated pivot axis 34 for the lid 23rd

Conveniently, the movable carrying handle 5 is bow-shaped and has the shape of a U, wherein it has a between two of the U-legs formed grip legs 35 extending handle bar 36 which can be embraced to carry the container 4 with one hand. The two already mentioned bearing shafts 33 engage the free end regions of the two gripping arms 35. In the use position according to Figures 3 and 7 the movable carrying handle 5 protrudes upward beyond the upper side 4, wherein the gripping arms 35 are oriented in particular vertically in the first container orientation and the gripping bar 36 extends parallel to the lid plane with a vertical distance to the outer surface 37 located on the upper side 4.

In the pivoted in the non-use position state, the movable carrying handle 5 is approximated to the container body 2, wherein it is suitably sunk in a recess 38 is received, which is formed in the container body 2 at the top 4. Exemplary is the recess 38 a part of the lid 23, it is formed by a recessed contoured portion of the lid 23.

When looking at the top 4 of the container body 2 expediently has a rectangular outline with preferably elongated shape. An axis arranged in parallel between the front and the rear side wall sections 15, 16 is referred to below as a longitudinal axis 42, an axis perpendicular thereto, arranged centrally between the lateral side wall sections 17, 18 as a transverse axis 43. In the first container orientation, one extends both to the longitudinal axis 42 and the transverse axis 43 rectangular vertical axis 44 in the vertical direction.

The movable carrying handle 5 is mounted in particular on the lid 23, that its pivot axis 34 in the same, spanned by the longitudinal axis 42 and the vertical axis 44 vertical plane extends as the longitudinal axis 42. This is a tilting of the container body 2 during transport of the container 1 by means of movable carrying handle 5 counteracted.

The recess 38 expediently has such a depth measured in the axial direction of the vertical axis 44 that the movable carrying handle 5 assumes the non-use position dips into the recess 38 with its entire outer contour. According to FIGS. 5 and 6 Thus, the movable carrying handle 5 does not protrude beyond the outer surface 37 of the lid 23 located on the upper side 4. This facilitates stacking of the portable container 1 with its like.

As in particular from FIG. 4 it can be seen, the recess 38 has expediently, seen in plan view of the top 4, a U-shaped configuration. At the bottom, it is delimited by a recess floor 35 formed by a suitably integral part of the cover 23, peripherally by a circumferential side wall 46, which is also referred to below as a recess side wall 46.

The in plan view U-shaped contoured recess 38 has two spaced apart in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis 42 Ausnehmungsschenkel 47 and extending at one end between the two Ausnehmungsschenkeln recess main section 48. The two gripping arms 35 dive with their free end in each one of Ausnehmungsschenkel 47 and are stored therein by means of the bearing shafts 33 or by other storage means which define the pivot axis 34. When the movable carrying handle 5 is pivoted or folded up into the non-use position on the upper side 4, the gripping arms are located 35 within the recess legs 47 and the handle bar 36 is received in the recess main portion 48.

The measured in the axial direction of the transverse axis 43 width of the main recess portion 48 is greater than that of the handle bar 36. In addition, the movable carrying handle 5 is stored and designed such that when taking the non-use position a width "a" exhibiting, preferably trough-shaped gap 52 between the grip web 36 and the handle web 36 in the axial direction of the transverse axis 43 opposite longitudinal portion 53 of the recess side wall 46 remains. This longitudinal section 53, which in particular has a linear extension and in this case preferably runs parallel to the longitudinal axis 42, forms the additional carrying handle 6 already mentioned. For this purpose, this longitudinal section 53 is provided with an engagement recess 54 which is open towards the recess 38 and preferably groove-like. The said longitudinal section 53 is thus designed in particular in the manner of a concavity. In the thus formed engaging recess 54 can be grasped in with the fingers of one hand, as in FIG. 9 is illustrated to transport the container 1 without using the movable carrying handle 5 in the second container orientation.

Due to the engagement recess 50 of the additional carrying handle 6 has an undercut cross-section with a spaced from the Ausnehmungsboden 45 in the axial direction of the vertical axis 44 rib-shaped projection 55. This projection 55 is engaged in detecting the additional carrying handle 6 with the fingertips, so that a positive engagement is possible and Accidental slippage of the human hand can be avoided.

The trough-shaped gap 52 ensures at all times good accessibility of the additional carrying handle 6, even if the movable carrying handle 5 occupies the non-use position.

The additional support handle 6 defining longitudinal portion 53 of the recess side wall 46 is suitably eccentrically arranged at the top 4, so exemplarily with transverse distance to the longitudinal axis 42, wherein it extends in particular in the vicinity of the rear side 14 and a relatively small distance to the rear side wall portion 16 has. In this case, the engagement recess 54 points in the direction of the longitudinal axis 42, that is to say in the direction of the front side 13. Accordingly, the additional carrying handle 6 assumes a position relatively high in the second container orientation Vertically oriented container body 2, which ensures a stable and thus easy carrying the container 1.

In principle, the additional carrying handle 6 could alternatively or additionally be formed by another length section of the recess side wall 46. In particular, it would be conceivable to provide the additional carrying handle 6 on the upper side 4 in the vicinity of the front side 13.

The use of the additional carrying handle 6 is favored if it can be ensured that the movable carrying handle 5 remains safe during use of the additional carrying handle 6 in the non-use position and does not accidentally fold out automatically in the obstructive use position under certain circumstances. The container 1 according to the invention has, in this context, special securing means 56 which cause a releasable fixing of the movable carrying handle 5 with respect to the lid 23 in the non-use position.

These securing means 56 are designed in particular as latching means, preferably with such a structure that they latch or detent automatically by execution of the position change movement 32 of the movable carrying handle 5 alone. In this way, an additional locking or unlocking handling is unnecessary, for example by actuation a movable with respect to the handle locking element.

By way of example, the securing means 56 comprise two latching projections 57 arranged at different locations on the movable carrying handle 5 and in particular integrally formed, and for each latching projection 57 a latching recess 58 arranged on the cover 23 in the pivoting path of the associated latching projection 57. By way of example, each latching projection 57 is located in one of the axial directions the longitudinal axis 42 oriented outer surfaces of the handle legs 35 and arranged the locking recess 58 is formed as a local depression in the recess side wall 46. It is understood that in the reverse manner, the locking recess 58 on the movable handle 5 and the locking projection 57 could be arranged stationarily on the container body 2.

Notwithstanding the doubly existing in the exemplary embodiment of locking projection 57 and locking recess 58, for example, only such a pairing could be present, which is then expediently provided in the region of one of the gripping arms 35.

The container 1 of the embodiment also opens up the advantageous possibility of stacking with other containers 1 of its kind. It is then set the respective one container 1 with its in the first container orientation downward facing bottom 62 on the top 4 of another container. Since the additional carrying handle 6 recessed in the top 4 of the container 1 is formed, it does not constitute an obstacle to such stacking, just as the pivoted to the non-use position movable carrying handle. 5

It is also advantageous if the container 1 is equipped with coupling means 63, which make it possible to detachably connect at least two containers 1 stacked on top of one another to form a container composite. Advantageously, the additional carrying handle 6 is a part of this coupling means 63.

Concretely, in the embodiment, the coupling means 63 comprise one or more engagement projections 64 arranged on the underside 62 of the container body 2 which, when the container 1 is placed on the upper side 4 of another container 1, engage positively in the engagement recess 54 of the additional carrying handle 6.

In addition, the movable locking element 27 belongs to the coupling means 63, wherein it is exemplary in a respect off the locking position FIG. 1 rotated by 90 degrees twisted coupling position, so that it is simultaneously engaged with the arranged on the associated lower part 7 locking projection 28 and at the same time with a arranged on the lower part 7 coupling projection 65 of the top mounted container. 1

The engaging projections 64 arranged on the underside 62 can be used in the uncoupled, individually used state of the container 1 as feet for parking the container 1 in the first container orientation.

Claims (16)

1. Portable container comprising a container body (2) and a movable carrying handle (5) fitted to the container body (2), wherein the container body (2), if adopting a first container orientation, has an upward-pointing top side (4), on which it is provided with a recess (38) bounded by a side wall (46), and wherein the movable carrying handle (5) can optionally be placed in a position of use, in which it projects upwards from the container body (2) when adopting the first container orientation, or in a position of non-use close to the container body (2), characterised in that a section (53) of the length of the side wall (46) of the recess (38) forms a stationary auxiliary carrying handle (6), which can be used as an alternative to the movable carrying handle (5) by having a gripping indentation (54) open towards the recess (38), into which the fingers of a hand can grip from below in a second container orientation with a laterally-oriented top side (4).
2. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that the section (53) of the length of the side wall (46) of the recess (38) which forms the auxiliary carrying handle (6) is located off-centre on the top side (4), the gripping indentation (54) pointing towards the centre of the top side (4).
3. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the section (53) of the length of the side wall (46) of the recess (38) which forms the auxiliary carrying handle (6) has a linear longitudinal dimension, expediently extending parallel to a rear or front side wall section (16, 15) of the container body (2).
4. Container according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the movable carrying handle (5) is pivotably mounted on the container body (2) in such a way that it can be moved between the position of use and the position of non-use by being pivoted relative to the container body (2).
5. Container according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the movable carrying handle (5) is bow-shaped and has two handle legs (35) movably mounted on the container body (2) and a handle web (36) extending between the two handle legs (35) and capable of being gripped with a hand.
6. Container according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the movable carrying handle (5) dips into the container body (2) at least partially and preferably as a whole in the position of non-use.
7. Container according to claim 6, characterised in that the movable carrying handle (5) dips into the recess (38) of the container body (2), which is laterally bounded by the auxiliary carrying handle (6), in the position of non-use, wherein a clearance (52) facilitating the gripping of the auxiliary carrying handle (6) if the carrying handle (5) is moved into the position of non-use is expediently provided between the movable carrying handle (5) and the auxiliary carrying handle (6).
8. Container according to claim 7 in combination with claim 5, characterised in that the section (53) of the length of the side wall (46) of the recess (38) which forms the auxiliary carrying handle (6) extends parallel to the handle web (36) of the movable carrying handle (5).
9. Container according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that securing means (56) are provided for releasably locating the movable carrying handle (5) relative to the container body (2) in the position of non-use.
10. Container according to claim 9, characterised in that the securing means (56) are designed as latching means, in particular of the type which is capable of automatic latching and release if the carrying handle (5) is moved.
11. Container according to claim 10, characterised in that the securing means (56) designed as latching means comprise at least one latching projection (57) located on the movable carrying handle (5) or on the container body (2) and a latching recess (58) assigned to this latching projection (57) on the other container component (2, 5).
12. Container according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the container body (2) comprises a box- or bowl-shaped base part (7) placed at the bottom in the first container orientation and a cover (23) assigned to the upward-oriented opening (22) of the base part (7).
13. Container according to claim 12, characterised in that the recess (38) on the top side (4) and the auxiliary carrying handle (6) assigned to this recess (38) are at least partially and preferably as a whole formed on the cover (23).
14. Container according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the cover (23) is pivotably mounted on the base part (7) for opening and closing.
15. Container according to any of claims 12 to 14, characterised in that locking means (26a, 26b) for releasably locking the cover (23) adopting a closed position blocking the opening (22) of the base part (7) relative to the base part (7) are provided on the container body (2).
16. Container according to any of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that it is provided with coupling means (63) for mutually coupling two containers (1) stacked on top of one another, the auxiliary carrying handle (6) expediently forming a part of these coupling means (63).

Images