EP2745995B1 - Fold-out compartment unit - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a folding unit with a container in which a plurality of flaps are pivotally mounted, each defining a folding compartment between adjacent flaps and which each have at least one locking hook, in an open position of the folding unit in a hook associated with him a closing strip is pivoted, which is displaceably guided on the container between the open position and a closed position of the folding unit, in which closed position the hook openings delimiting edge regions of the closing strip engage behind the hook located in its hook opening.

It has already created various storage systems, for example, to be able to deliver tools or other items individually. Spiral conveyor systems are already known in which the articles stored in a tool cabinet are advanced in sequence with a helical conveyor spiral on demand until they individually fall into a padded output shaft. The optimum size of the conveyor spiral must be matched to the size of the goods to be stored thereon. In the previously known Spiral conveyor systems can be stored only those items that are guaranteed to survive the fall in the output shaft unscathed. Furthermore, it is reasonable to store only the same goods on a conveyor spiral.

From the US 2009/224638 A1 already known a folding unit of the type mentioned above, which has a container in which a plurality of flaps are pivotally mounted, wherein a flap roof is delimited by adjacent flaps. At each of the flaps a closing hook is provided, which can be used in an open position of the folding-top unit in a hook opening associated therewith a closing strip. This closing strip, which is guided displaceably on the container, has a hook corresponding to the hook of the number of hook openings. By means of a sliding drive, the closing strip can be moved out of the closed position into a number of flaps corresponding number of open positions, wherein in each open position only the closing hook one of the flaps can be moved from the associated hook opening. Since the closing strip can be moved into a defined sliding or open position with the aid of the sliding drive, in which only a specific flap of the container can be opened, and since the user only has access to the one flap compartment in the selected sliding position, it is possible to miss and For example, avoid the erroneous administration of non-selected drugs. In the defined open or sliding position of the closing strip, however, the user is only able to access the respectively selected folding compartment.

A folding-top unit in which the folding compartments provided in a container can also be opened only one by one, in order to prevent incorrect administration of unselected medicaments prevent is also from the US 2012/004772 A1 known.

From the US 2009/204254 A1 already a folding unit is already known, which has at least one drawer. This drawer is filled with a plurality of smaller containers, each of which can be used separately in the drawer and removed from the drawer. At each of these smaller container, a flap is pivotally supported, which serves to close the container interior of the associated container. At the flap of each container facing away from the container bottom a closing hook is provided, which passes through an associated hook opening in the bottom of the drawer. In Figs. 11 (a) to 11 (c) of US 2009/204254 various alternatives are shown, as one of the smaller container inserted into the drawer can be fixed there. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 11 (a), the container is held only by its own weight. In Fig. 11 (c) a biased locking element is provided at the bottom of the drawer, which engages in the locking hook and should produce a certain resistance when removing the container from the drawer. On the other hand, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 11 (b), there is provided a lock bolt with which the lock hook of the container can be locked at the bottom of the drawer. In the in Fig. 18 of the US 2009/204254 A1 In the embodiment shown, a common strip-shaped locking bolt is assigned to the locking hooks of a plurality of containers arranged in a row, wherein a plurality of these locking bolts provided at the bottom of the drawer can be moved either into an open position or into a closed position by means of a common drive motor. Thus, in the previously known folding-top unit provided on the bottom of a drawer strip-shaped locking bolt can be moved together by means of a drive motor either in its closed position or in its open position, so that either all small containers are locked in the drawer or can be removed consistently from the drawer. The locking of the container in the drawer is completely independent of whether the flaps of these containers can now open or close.

It is therefore the object: to provide a designed as a folding unit and structurally simple and reliable storage system in which the most diverse and possibly also break-sensitive items can be provided for single issue.

The achievement of this object is in the folding-top unit of the type mentioned in particular that when swiveling one of the flaps their closing hooks a hook opening delimiting edge region of the closing strip so touched or acted upon, that the closing bar from the open position to the closed position of the folding roof Unit is moved.

The folding unit according to the invention has a container in which a plurality of flaps are pivotally mounted. The flaps are shaped and arranged so that between adjacent flaps each a folding compartment is bounded, in which folding compartment, the stored goods can be provided individually. Each flap carries in each case at least one shooting hook, which can be pivoted in an open position of the folding-top unit into an associated hook opening of a closing strip. The closure strip, which has a hook opening for each closure hook, is displaceably guided on the container in such a way that upon pivoting of a flap, its closure hook touches or urges a border region of the closure strip delimiting the hook opening such that the closure strip moves from the open position into one Closed position is moved, in which closed position the hook openings delimiting edge regions of the closing strip engage behind the hook located in its hook opening. The user therefore selects the folding compartment in which the product required by him is stored. When swiveling the flap and opening the relevant folding caches, the closing hook of this flap is moved out of the hook opening. The closing hook touches the flap. the closing strip such that the closing strip is moved from the open position to the closed position. By means of the closing strip located in the closed position, all other folding roofs of the folding-top unit are closed, so that a single issue and thus the removal of only one product is ensured.

In order to be able to prepare the folding-top unit according to the invention for removal before the next removal operation, it is advantageous if the folding-top unit has an actuator has, by means of which the closing strip is displaceable from its closed position to its open position. This actuator is preferably designed and controllable as an electric actuator.

In order to prevent unauthorized or even erroneous removal from the folding compartment unit according to the invention, it is advantageous if the locking strip has a latch opening and if a locking bolt drive is provided with a locking bolt, which locking bolt, for example motor or electromagnetically between an unlocked position and a locking position is movable, in which locking position of the locking bar protrudes into the latch opening and secures the locking bar in the closed position.

In order to be able to displaceably guide the closing strip on the container in the longitudinal direction, it is advantageous if the container carries a guide rail, which is preferably open at one end and which is open at the bottom, in which the closing strip is displaceably guided. In this case, a preferred embodiment according to the invention provides that the guide rail is integrally formed on the container edge region bounding the container opening. If the container is produced from a deformable material and in particular from sheet metal, the guide rail can be formed on the container rim area delimiting the container opening by corresponding deformations.

In order to be able to firmly close the folding roofs remaining in their hook opening after opening a folding roof, it is expedient if at least one securing projection protrudes on each flap, which engages in the closed position in a securing opening on the adjacent flap and secures this adjacent flap in the closed position.

In order to be able to define a folding compartment between each of the adjacent flaps which provides space for the goods to be stored, it is advantageous if each flap has a flap wall which is pivotably held in the container and which is preferably connected to a flap lid via a bend. The flap lid integrally connected in particular via a bend with the flap wall keeps the flap wall at a distance from the adjacent flap such that a sufficiently voluminous flap pocket is formed between the adjacent flaps. While the flap wall is connected at its one edge region with the flap lid of this flap, the flap wall is pivotally mounted on its side facing away from the flap lid edge region in the container.

In order to be able to store a large number of goods in a plurality of folding-top units, it is advantageous if the folding-top unit is designed as a foldable insert which can be inserted into a drawer. By sliding one of the drawers displaceably arranged in a storage cabinet, the at least one folding-top unit located in this drawer can be uncovered, in order then to be able to select and remove one of the products stored in this folding-top unit.

In order to create an electronically controlled system, for example, in which the removal of a product is registered and the product actually required for removal is provided to the user, a preferred development according to the invention provides that electrical contacts are provided on the folding-top insert contact in a closed position of the drawer with mating contacts and solve by a Öffenbewegung the drawer of the mating contacts, and that at least a subset of the electrical contacts with the locking bolt drive and / or with the

Actuator are in electrical control connection.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the description in conjunction with the claims and the drawings. The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to a preferred embodiment.

Fig. 1

einen, in einer perspektivischen Ansicht dargestellten Klappfach-Einsatz unmittelbar vor dem Einsetzen in eine Schublade eines hier nicht weiter gezeigten Lagerschrankes,

Fig. 2

die Klappfach-Einheit aus Figur 1 in einer perspektivischen Seitenansicht, wobei die durch benachbarte Klappen umgrenzten Klappfächer zu erkennen sind und wobei durch Aufschwenken einer entsprechenden Klappe eines dieser Klappfächer geöffnet ist,

Fig. 3

die Klappfach-Einheit aus Figur 1 und 2 in einer perspektivischen Draufsicht auf die durch benachbarte Klappen umgrenzten Klappfächer, wobei auch hier eine der Klappen bereits aufgeschwenkt ist,

Fig. 4

die Klappfach-Einheit aus Figur 1 bis 3 in einer Seitenansicht, wobei auch hier eine der Klappen aufgeschwenkt ist,

Fig. 5

die Klappfach-Einheit aus Figur 1 bis 4 in einer perspektivischen Unteransicht, wobei eine Schließleiste zu erkennen ist, welche die Klappen in ihrer Schließstellung sichert,

Fig. 6

die Klappfach-Einheit aus Figur 1 bis 5 in einer perspektivischen Detail-Unteransicht mit Blick auf einen elektrischen Stellantrieb, der zum Verschieben der Schließleiste in eine Offenstellung dient, wobei auch hier eine der Klappen geöffnet ist,

Fig. 7

die Klappfach-Einheit aus Figur 1 bis 6 in einer perspektivischen Seitenansicht, wobei die Klappen sich in ihrer Schließstellung befinden, und

Fig. 8

die Klappfach-Einheit aus Figur 1 bis 7 in einer perspektivischen Rückansicht, wobei an der Rückseite der Klappfach-Einheit elektrische Kontakte vorgesehen sind, die mit hier nicht weiter gezeigten Gegenkontakten kontaktiert werden können.

It shows:

Fig. 1

a, shown in a perspective view folding box insert immediately prior to insertion into a drawer of a storage cabinet not shown here,

Fig. 2

the folding compartment unit off FIG. 1 in a perspective side view, wherein the flaps bounded by adjacent flaps can be seen, and wherein by pivoting a corresponding flap of one of these folding roofs is open,

Fig. 3

the folding compartment unit off FIG. 1 and 2 in a perspective plan view of the bounded by adjacent flaps folding roofs, with one of the flaps is already swung open,

Fig. 4

the folding compartment unit off Figure 1 to 3 in a side view, whereby here too one of the flaps is swung open,

Fig. 5

the folding compartment unit off Figure 1 to 4 in a perspective bottom view, wherein a closing strip can be seen, which secures the flaps in their closed position,

Fig. 6

the folding compartment unit off Figure 1 to 5 in a perspective detail bottom view overlooking an electric actuator which serves to move the closing strip in an open position, wherein also here one of the flaps is open,

Fig. 7

the folding compartment unit off Figure 1 to 6 in a perspective side view, wherein the flaps are in their closed position, and

Fig. 8

the folding compartment unit off Figure 1 to 7 in a perspective rear view, wherein on the back of the folding-roof unit electrical contacts are provided, which can be contacted with mating contacts not shown here.

In the FIGS. 1 to 8 a folding box unit 1 is shown, which serves for storage of goods which are to be removed from the folding-top unit 1 only one by one. In FIG. 1 is indicated that the folding-top unit 1 is designed here as a folding-roof insert, which can be used in a drawer 2, which is guided in a storage cabinet, not shown here displaceable.

The folding-top unit 1 has an upwardly open container 3, in which a plurality of flaps 4 are pivotably mounted. The flaps 4 are shaped and arranged so that between the adjacent flaps 4 each a folding compartment 5 is bounded, in which folding compartments 5, the stored goods can be provided individually. Each flap 4 carries at least one, in this case approximately L-shaped designed locking hook 6, which in an open position of the folding-top unit 1 in a hook opening associated with him 7th a closing strip 8 can be pivoted. The closing strip 8, which has a hook opening 7 for each closing hook 6, is displaceably guided in the longitudinal direction on the container 3 such that when the flap 4 is swung open, its closing hook 6 touches or acts on a border region of the closing strip delimiting the hook opening 7, such that the closing strip is moved from the open position to a closed position 8, in which closed position, the hook openings 7 delimiting edge regions of the closing strip 8 engage behind the hooks located in their hook opening 6 6. When swinging a flap 4 of the locking hook 6 touches the hook opening 7 limiting edge region of the locking bar 8 with the hook tip 9 of the locking hook 6 facing away from the back.

The user first selects the folding box 5, in which the product required by him is stored. When swinging the flap 4 and opening the respective folding roof 5, the locking hook 6 of the flap 4 is moved out of the hook opening 7. The closing hook 6 of the flap 4 touches the closing strip 8 such that the closing strip 8 is moved from the open position into a closed position, in which closed position the hook openings 7 delimiting edge regions of the closing strip 8 hook tip 9 engage behind the hooks 7 located in their hook opening 6 , By means of the closing position 8 located in the closed position, all other folding roofs 5 are closed, so that a single output and thus the removal of only one product from the folding-top unit 1 is ensured.

When swinging a flap 4 of the closing hook 6 of this flap 4 touches the hook opening 7 bounding edge region of the closing strip 8 such that the closing strip. 8 is moved from its open position to the closed position. In order to move the closing strip 8 before the next removal process back from the closed position to the open position, an actuator 10 is provided by means of which the closing strip 8 can be moved to the open position. The actuator 10 has to do a lock slider 11 which acts on the closing strip 8 at an electrical pulse and moves it in the open position. In FIG. 6 It can be seen that the closing strip 8 has a latch opening 12. In this case, an electrically actuated locking bolt drive 13 is provided with a locking bolt 14 side of the container 3, which locking bolt 14 motor or electromagnetically between an unlocked position and the in FIG. 6 shown locking position is movable. In the locking position according to FIG. 6 is the locking bar 14 in the latch opening 12 and secures the locking bar 8 in the closed position. In FIG. 3 is particularly well recognizable that 15 hook openings are also provided on the guide rail, which are aligned in the open position of the folding top unit 1 with the located on the closing strip 8 hook openings 7 such that in this open position, the locking hooks 6 in their associated hook opening. 7 the closing strip 8 can be used.

The container 3 has a guide rail 15 which is open on one side and downwards, in which the closing strip 8 is displaceably guided. This guide rail 15 is integrally formed on the container edge region bounding the container opening. In the container 3 produced here from sheet metal, the guide rail 15 may be formed by bending or deformation of the metal sheet used for the container 3.

In FIG. 3 It is shown that on each flap 4 a securing projection 16 protrudes, which engages in the closed position in a securing opening 17 on the adjacent flap 4 and this adjacent flap 4 secures in the closed position. Each flap 4 has a valve wall 3 pivotally supported flap wall 18 which is connected via a bend 19 with a flap lid 20. At the edge position in the closed position on the container flap lid 20 of the locking hook 6 is in the direction of the folding top 5, wherein the hook tip 9 is engaged behind in the closed position of the corresponding hook opening 7 bounding edge region of the closing strip 8. While at the adjacent flap 4 facing flap cover edge of the flap cover 20 of the securing projection 16 protrudes, the securing opening 17 is provided in the region of the flap wall 18 with the flap cover 20 connecting bend 19.

In FIG. 8 It is clear that electrical contacts 21 are provided on the flap-top unit designed as a folding-top unit 1, which contact in a closed position of the drawer 2 with mating contacts not shown here in the storage cabinet. By a Öffenbewegung the drawer 2, these electrical contacts 21 are released from the mating contacts. A subset of the electrical contacts 21 is in electrical control connection with the locking bolt drive 13 and with the actuator 10. Actuator 10 and locking bolt drive 13 preferably have electromagnetic solenoids. In this case, the drawer 2 having storage cabinet may be connected to an electronic data processing system, so that the required goods can be selected by the user initially. After selecting the appropriate product using the data processing system, the drawer 2 having the corresponding folding-top insert 1 is available to the user, the folding-top unit 1 moving into the open position with the aid of the actuating drive 10 becomes. After the user has pulled the drawer 2 from the storage cabinet and has exposed the folding compartment unit 1, he can take one of the flaps 4 at a handling opening 22 and swing open to remove the goods located in the corresponding folding compartment 5 goods. When swinging the closing strip 8 is moved from the open position to the closed position, in which closed position the locking strip 8 engages behind the locking hooks 6 located on the other flaps 4. The user is thus no longer possible after removal of the required product from the corresponding folding top 5, even more folding roofs 5 to open. First, the user must slide the drawer 2 back into the storage cabinet, so that the contacts 21 can be contacted with the corresponding mating contacts. After re-contacting the electrical contacts 21 with the corresponding contacts in the storage cabinet can be moved from its closed position back to its open position with the aid of the actuator 10 located on the container 3 in the folding unit 1 closing bar 8 to the next, specific for single removal operation prepare.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Folding Tray Unit

2

drawer

3

container

4

flap

5

folding compartment

6

hasp

7

hook opening

8th

closing bar

9

hook tip

10

actuator

11

lock slider

12

bolt opening

13

Locking bolt drive

14

safety catch

15

guide rail

16

securing projection

17

securing aperture

18

valve wall

19

bend

20

hatch cover

21

electrical contacts

22

handling opening

Claims (11)

1. Fold-out compartment unit (1) having a container (3) in which a plurality of flaps (4) are pivotably mounted, which each define a fold-out compartment (5) between adjacent flaps (4) and which each have at least one closing hook (6) which, when the fold-out compartment unit (1) is in an open position, can pivot into a hook opening (7), allocated thereto, of a closing strip (8), which strip (8) is displaceably guided on the container (3) between the open position and a closed position of the fold-out compartment unit (1), in which closed position the edge regions, defining the hook openings (7), of the closing strip (8) engage behind the closing hooks (6) located in their hook opening (7), characterised in that upon one of the flaps (4) being pivoted open, the closing hook (6) thereof contacts or acts upon the edge region, defining the associated hook opening (7), of the closing strip (8) in such a way that the closing strip (8) is pushed from the open position into the closed position.
2. Fold-out compartment unit as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the fold-out compartment unit (1) has an actuating drive (10) by means of which the closing strip (8) can be pushed from its closed position into its open position.
3. Fold-out compartment unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the closing strip (8) has a bolt opening (12) and that a locking bolt drive (13) is provided with a locking bolt (14), which locking bolt (14) can move between an unlocking and a locking position, in which locking position the locking bolt (14) protrudes into the bolt opening (12) and secures the closing strip (8) in its closed position.
4. Fold-out compartment unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the container (3) supports a guide rail (15) which is preferably open on one side in the downwards direction and in which the closing strip (8) is displaceably guided.
5. Fold-out compartment unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the guide rail (15) is integrally formed as one piece on the container edge region defining the container opening.
6. Fold-out compartment unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that on each flap (4) at least one securing protrusion (16) projects and, in the closed position, engages in a securing opening (17) on the adjacent flap (4) and secures this adjacent flap (4) in the closed position.
7. Fold-out compartment unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that each flap (4) has a flap wall (18) which is pivotably held in the container (3) and which is connected to a flap cover (20) preferably via a bend (19).
8. Fold-out compartment unit as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the at least one closing hook (6) projects on the flap cover (20) which lies with its edge on the container (3) in the closed position.
9. Fold-out compartment unit as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the securing protrusion (16) projects on a flap cover edge, facing the adjacent flap (4), of the flap cover (20), and that the securing opening (17) is provided in the region of the bend (19) connecting the flap wall (18) to the flap cover (20).
10. Fold-out compartment unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the fold-out compartment unit (1) is formed as a fold-out compartment insert which can be inserted into a drawer (2).
11. Fold-out compartment unit as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that electrical contacts (21) are provided on the fold-out compartment unit and, when the drawer (2) is in a closed position, contact counterpart contacts and are released from the counterpart contacts by an opening movement of the drawer (2), and that at least some of these electrical contacts (21) are in electrical control connection with the locking bolt drive (13) and/or with the actuating drive (10).

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