EP2511460A1 - Folding connection for foldable containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The connector has an outer fixing unit (Ka) and an inner fixing unit (Ki) that are attached or fixed on container side parts (A, B) made of wood, plastic, metal or composite material. The fixing units are connected with each other via a connection unit (V) at a pivoted axle (T). The pivoted axle is formed by sections of two wall surfaces of the container side parts, where the wall surfaces are directed towards an inner side of the container. The connection unit is provided with a cord, a clip, a ring, a rivet and/or wire. The fixing units are designed as flexible bands. An independent claim is also included for a container comprising container side parts.

Description

The present invention relates to a folding connection, and a foldable container with such a compound, which is convertible from a folded to an unfolded state.

Foldable containers are known from the prior art in a variety of forms. Advantageously, these containers can be folded in the unused state to a relatively compact shape and can be stowed so as to save space. By unfolding the container this obtained his usable as such container shape. In particular, containers are known in which the individual container walls or bottom or lid part are connected to one another in an articulated or pivotable manner. The junction of these contiguous container parts is in the unfolded state typically in the region of an edge of the container.

It is also known, such container side parts or floors or cover to connect via flexible fixing means with each other, which allows pivoting of the interconnected parts and at the same time stably interconnects. In particular, come as a fixative flexible bands in question, which are made of plastic, natural fiber or other materials and are attached longitudinally or transversely to the articulated connection point on each of the two side panels.

Simple containers of this type according to the prior art are composed of typically cuboid side parts, whose outer edges extend in three mutually perpendicular directions. As a result, as in Fig. 1 to the prior art shown - the outer fixing K _A in the manner shown here on the edges and end faces and the inner fixing K _I in the manner shown here on the inner surfaces of the respective side parts is performed. A load L in Fig. 1 is indicated with corresponding arrows and is generated, for example, by a stored in the container Good, thereby strives to move the side panels A and B in the direction of arrows. This results in that the fixing means K _A in particular in the region of the respective end faces and the fixing K _I, in particular in the region of the inner wall of the side parts be lifted off. The side parts then no longer touch each other along a common pivot axis; instead, this edge of the container experiences a disturbing play, which negatively influences the stability of the container and also the tightness. In the extreme case, the fixing means K _A of both end faces and the fixing K _I of two inner walls of the side panels A and B completely detach, so that it remains only on the respective outer surface of the side parts (if any) remains attached and otherwise "free ", as indicated by the dashed lines K _A 'and K _I ' in Fig. 1 is interpreted.

Also known is the "loose" connection of two side panels by means of a flexible band. The band connects the two outwardly directed side surfaces of the side parts over the common edge of the container. In this case, the band includes a space with the two end faces, which theoretically reduces to zero when folding the side walls. Disadvantageously, however, no common and defined axis of rotation of the side parts is formed (in particular, the two inside opposite edges of the two side parts can be moved freely by a measure against each other). Rather, both parts over the free length of the tape between the end faces are loosely hung together, which adversely affects the stability and dimensional accuracy of the container.

The object of the invention is therefore to offer a folding connection, in particular for a foldable container, which enables a stable and articulated connection of two adjacent side parts to be folded and reduces the risk of localized detachment of the fixing means.

The object is achieved by a folding connection or a foldable container according to claim 1-10.

The invention is based on the recognition that the fixing means K _A and K _{I can} provide a better hold of the two side parts to be joined together when the two fixing means K _A and K _I are interconnected by means of a connecting means V. As a result, forces which, due to a load L, strive for pushing apart the side parts A and B are diverted, at least in part, as shearing forces between the fixing means and the side parts. As a result, the connecting means V contributes to the fact that the two side parts in the region of its pivot axis be better fixed relative to each other. Furthermore, a common and stable pivot axis for the two adjoining side parts is thus defined. The entire container remains dimensionally stable and precisely fitting with these connections.

The prior art according to Fig. 1 makes it clear that the downwardly directed load, for example, causes the fixing means K _A to be detached downwards at the lower end face of the side part A, without this load being able to be received there in the longitudinal direction or along the band-shaped fixing means K _A. A similar effect occurs simultaneously at the inner fixative K _I.

In contrast, the connection according to the invention of these side parts provides that at least part of the forces can be absorbed directly by the use of the connecting means V and forwarded in their longitudinal or transverse direction to the adjacent part, so that these parts are held together. This advantageously increases the stability of such a folded connection or a foldable container with such folded connections.

In a simplest embodiment, the foldable container can be converted from a folded state into an unfolded state and has at least one substantially planar container side which in the unfolded and folded state adjoins at least one further, substantially planar container side in a boundary region. The container sides are connected to each other in the border region via fixing and connecting means about its axis of rotation pivotally. Each of the two sides of the container is limited in the border area in each case by an end face and the container sides close in the unfolded state an angle α arranged in the container.

According to the invention it is provided that the outer fixing means are connected to the inner fixing means by the use of a connecting means and at this connection point the pivot point of the wall surfaces encloses the angle α. As described above, this results in the advantage of a more stable folding connection or a more stable folding container.

In a typical application, the unfolded folding container has a substantially cuboid shape and the side surfaces form right angles to each other. Basically also every other - polygonal in plan view - container shape conceivable, so that the container has three, four, five, six or a different number of side walls.

The two side parts cohesive fixative cover according to an embodiment of the invention, the frontal surfaces in the boundary area by a predetermined amount. The measure depends on the desired stability and the chosen connection method, with which the fixing means are attached to the container elements. Typically, the fixing can be glued or alternatively or additionally fixed by other frictional or positive locking methods. The cohesive outer and inner fixing means are connected by a predetermined amount along the axis of rotation. This measure depends on the desired stability and the selected connection method, with which the fixing agents are connected to each other. Typically, the fixing can be sewn together, clamped or riveted or alternatively or additionally connected by other positive or frictional methods.

A particularly stable hold results according to the invention, when the outer fixing means covers not only the frontal surfaces but also at least parts of the outer sides of the container elements to be fixed together.

According to the invention, the fixing means are designed as flexible, substantially tension-resistant bands. They can have a woven structure. A suitable structure of synthetic fiber or the incorporation of wound or woven metallic threads is conceivable in order to further increase the stability. Also substantially or completely made of metal bands are advantageously conceivable. The fixatives may be attached by gluing, stapling, clamping, screwing or other suitable manner known to those skilled in the art.

The invention extends to a container having a plurality of (in particular six) contiguous container sides, wherein each container side is fastened with at least one adjoining side in the sense of the above-described folding connection. The side parts are intended to be connected to one another in each case or in total via at least one outer and one inner, connected by connecting means, fixing means, wherein the arrangement of the interconnected side parts is collapsible. Of course, the container may have a container bottom and / or container lid, wherein the bottom or lid may also be connected in a suitable manner in the sense of the above-described folding connection with the remaining sides of the container ,

The wall thickness of the container elements, which are to be connected to each other via the above-described folding connection, can be selected essentially freely. Particularly advantageous results in a stable container when the wall thickness is in the range of several millimeters. Typically, the individual container elements of wood, metal, composite material, plastic or similar material may be formed, in particular for the rough operation of storage, even on pallets, a robust embodiment of suitably stable material is preferable.

Further advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Faltverbindung nach dem Stand der Technik,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Faltverbindung,

Fig. 3

eine vergrößerte Ansicht der Verbindung und

Fig. 4

die schematische Draufsicht auf einen Faltbehälter mit erfindungsgemäßen Faltverbindungen.

Hereinafter, a particular embodiment of the invention will be explained with reference to a figure example. It shows

Fig. 1

a schematic folding connection according to the prior art,

Fig. 2

a schematic plan view of a folding connection according to the invention,

Fig. 3

an enlarged view of the connection and

Fig. 4

the schematic plan view of a folding container with Faltverbindungen invention.

Fig. 1 shows the already described prior art in a schematic plan view, wherein two container sides A and B with perpendicular end faces adjoin one another and are connected to one another via an applied in the end faces outer fixing K _A or alternatively or additionally via an applied inner fixing K _I with each other. A load L in the direction of the arrows shown there leads to the described detachment of the fixing K _A or K _I , so that this undefined form K _A 'or K _I ' assumes and the side parts A and B no longer defined bordering each other.

Fig. 2 shows an inventive solution to this problem, in turn, two side parts A and B in the region of a pivot axis T adjacent. By a fixing means K _A mounted on the outside and a fixing means K _I mounted on the inside, which are connected to one another by a connecting means V, the side parts A and B are fixed relative to one another and both pivotable about the pivot axis T and additionally stabilized. In addition, the container is further sealed to the outside.

Fig. 3 shows the connection Fig. 2 in an enlarged section.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic plan view of a folding container H, which is shown for clarity without cover and bottom. Six side parts A, B, C, D, E and F are pivotally connected to each other, wherein the compounds at the corners of the substantially rectangular (here even square) box shape in the sense of the above-described invention are executed. The applied external fixing means K _A and the inner fixing K _I and the connecting means V are partially shown, as well as the pivot axes T, which allow a relative movement of the side parts to each other.

The container according to the invention can be folded particularly easily by the in Fig. 4 Side parts F, A, D and C shown above and below are pivoted inwards in the direction of the respective indicated arrows. As a result, the side parts E and B shown on the right and left move toward each other until finally touching the other side parts folded therebetween and the container thus occupies a particularly advantageous compact form.

Claims (10)

Folding connection for a foldable container (H), which can be converted from a folded state to an unfolded state, a) having at least one substantially flat container side (A), which in the unfolded and folded state in a boundary region (G) adjacent to at least one further, substantially flat container side (B), b) wherein the container sides (A, B) in the border region via an outer fixing means (K _A ) and an inner fixing means (K _I ) are pivotally connected to each other about a Dehachse (T), c) wherein the container sides (A, B) in the boundary region in each case by an end face (A _S , B _S ) are limited
characterized, d) that the fixing means (K _A , K _I ) are applied to the container sides (A, B) and fixed there, and e) that the fixing means (K _A , K _I ) on the axis of rotation (T) by a connecting means (V) are interconnected, and f) that the axis of rotation (T) is formed by the intersection of the two facing the container inside wall surfaces of the container sides (A, B). Connection according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one connecting means (V) consists of thread, alternatively or additionally of string, staples, rings, rivets and / or wire. Connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one fixing means (K _A or K _I ) is formed as a flexible, substantially tensile band. Connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing means (K _A , K _I ) cover the frontal surfaces (A _S , B _S ) in the boundary region. Connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing means (K _A ) in the unfolded state covers the frontal surfaces (A _S , B _S ) in the boundary region (G) and at least parts of the outer sides of the container sides (A, B). Connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing means (K _I ) interconnects the inner sides of the adjacent container sides (A, B). Container with at least one connection according to one of the preceding claims. Container according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one container side (A, B) in the boundary region wood, plastic, metal or composite material. Container (H) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least four contiguous container sides (A, B, C, D) are provided as the container volume circumferential side parts, each side part (A, B, C, D) with at least an adjacent side part via at least one outer fixing means (K _A ) and at least one inner fixing means (K _I ) and at least one connection (V) is connected, and wherein the arrangement of the interconnected side parts (A, B, C, D) is collapsible , Container (H) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the container sides (A, B, C, D) is connected to a container lid and / or container bottom.

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