ES2281064T3 - FOLDING BOX WITH REBATIBLE WALLS. - Google Patents

Abstract

The container has four folding lateral panels (6-9) extending between an upper frame (3) and a base (2). One of the panels (6, 7) rotates with respect to the upper frame (3). A locking unit (16) locks rotating movement of the panels (6, 7) when the container is filled with load and rests on the ground, and permits rotating movement for the panels (6, 7) when the container is empty.

Description

Folding box with folding walls.

The present invention relates to a box folding and folding at will, which has one or more walls  folding and that can be easily stacked.

For many years, some packaging used to condition different types of products, such like some food goods, some auto parts, some textiles, etc., are made from materials of origin natural, such as cardboard or wood. Because of the rules of recycling imposed on industrialists and traders, in particular department stores, all packaging they must be stored separately, and then removed by the company specialized in charge of recovery and its new treatment. Storage volumes of these wastes result very important and the staff should spend a part of their time in compact these cartons. Finally, the costs linked to Recycling is passed on to industrialists and merchants.

Because of these obligations, these packages Traditional tend to disappear. Some shape boxes parallelepipedic plastic materials come to replace them. These boxes constitute the shuttle between industrial that puts in the same their products to sell and the merchant. These boxes they present the advantages of being much stronger when they have place maintenance and stored, effectively protect the products, can be stacked without risk of crushing, be Usable numerous times, have standard dimensions adapted to loading a truck and also being recyclable at the end of the lifetime.

Prior art

Very recently, some boxes have appeared collapsible, thus presenting the ability to occupy a volume five times lower when in folded position, with respect to its deployment status These boxes have the advantage of being stackable when full, when empty and unfolded and when folded These boxes present the real advantages of occupy a much smaller volume when the merchant Send empty again to the industrial for a new recharge. The transport costs are reduced and the maintenance of boxes Folding is easier and faster.

It is known for example according to the documents FR-2 706 424 and EP-1 386 847 a box folding parallelepipedic, of the type comprising a bottom, a top frame, and four folding side walls that are extend vertically between the top frame and the bottom, being at least one of the folding side walls suitable for pivot with respect to the upper frame.

US 3,796,342 describes a box folding comprising a bottom, a top frame and four folding side walls. The side walls pivot with with respect to the upper frame. Locking means are arranged. at the bottom level and block the bottom edge of one of the walls lateral. The blocking of this side wall is done, by a part caught by a leg that is part of the wall between the bottom edge of the bottom and a protrusion and on the other hand by insertion in a hole of a free end of the leg.

However, it happens that when the transit of the full box through the industrialist to the merchant, one or more of the folding side walls are open. The o the walls can be partially or totally rebutted by a slight pivoting or by a full rotation movement. These wall movements are possible when the box is full of incomplete form, when the products are not correctly arranged and leave gaps or when product packaging They are not rigid enough. This opening takes place in a way untimely, because of shocks that can intervene when box manipulations take place or because of the vibrations generated when transport takes place. An opening fraudulent is also verified, being then subtracted the all or only part of the contents of the box.

Exhibition of the invention

A main problem that is proposed to solve the invention consists in tuning a box of a material polymer, which is both foldable by rebounding one or more of its walls and that it can easily be stacked. One second problem is the realization of a box that presents some means intended to prevent its partial or total opening.

In a known manner, the invention relates to a folding parallelepiped box, of the type comprising a bottom, a top frame, and four folding side walls that They extend vertically between the top frame and the bottom, being at least one of the folding side walls suitable for pivoting with respect to the upper frame and means locking arranged at the bottom level and blocking the edge Bottom free side folding wall.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the box is characterized in that the blocking means they comprise at least one mobile tongue, which has on its face superior a toothed that unfolds from the bottom in direction to the upper frame, leaving the teeth to butt against the free bottom edge of the folding side wall, the face being bottom of the mobile tongue intended to be placed against a support, so that it blocks said mobile tongue and that it blocks any pivotal side wall pivot movement, when the box is loaded and rests on the support, and so that allows any pivoting movement of said wall folding side when the box is empty.

In other words, with its blocking means, any pivot wall opening is prevented when The box is partially or totally full. In spite of the presence of the blocking means, the overflow of this or of These walls for folding the box is easily done, When the latter is empty.

To ensure complete blocking, the edge Bottom free side wall folding can be caught between the toothed of the movable tongue and an outward outer flange from the bottom of the box.

The movable tongue can preferably form directly part of the fund. The fund may also comprise a bottom plate of dimensions substantially smaller than those of the bottom, which defines a peripheral step and forms a foot. In an advantageous embodiment, the movable tongue can simultaneously be part of the bottom and the plate.

When the box rests on the support, in a First case, this may be constituted by the ground. In this situation, the underside of the tongue level plate is placed against the ground. In a second case that is the boxes stacked on top of each other, the support may be constituted by a second box, the first box being stacked on the second box In this situation, the underside of the tongue a bottom level is placed against the top face of the frame higher.

For easy folding, the box can favorably comprise two opposite folding side walls,  made each in a top panel that is in solidarity and is suitable for pivoting with respect to the upper frame and a panel bottom that is in solidarity and is appropriate to pivot with regarding the background, the two panels being in solidarity and suitable for pivoting with respect to each other, and two walls opposite folding sides, each one being in solidarity and being appropriate to pivot with respect to the upper frame and presenting a free bottom edge.

The box can also comprise means mechanical detection of an opening and a movement of at minus one of the folding side walls with respect to the frame higher.

Brief description of the figures

The invention will be better understood and its various advantages and different characteristics will be made more clearly than manifest from the following description, from example no limitation of realization, with reference to schematic drawings annexes, in which:

- Figure 1 represents a view by above in perspective of the box according to the present invention, seen in deployed state;

- Figure 2 represents a view by above in perspective of the box in the process of folding;

- Figure 3 represents a view in perspective below the folded box;

- Figure 4 represents a partial view on the floor below the box;

- figure 5 represents a partial view in perspective of the locking means inside the box;

- Figure 6 represents a partial view in perspective torn from the locking means of the box which rest on the ground;

- Figure 7 represents a partial view in perspective torn from the locking means of the box which rest on another box;

- Figure 8 represents a partial view in perspective torn from the blocking means in progress of unlocking Y

- Figure 9 represents a partial view in perspective torn from the locking means in position of unlock

Detailed description of the invention

As Figure 1 represents, a box (1) is made of plastic material (for example polypropylene or polyethylene) and comes in the form of a parallelepiped, by example of dimensions substantially equal to 600 x 400 x 400 mm, and analogous to a box when it is completely unfolded. The box (1) thus comprises a bottom (2), a belt or upper frame (3) delimiting an opening (4) and four walls laterals that extend substantially vertically between the bottom (2) and top frame (3).

Between these four side walls, two sides minor or opposite transverse lateral vertical walls each one comprises a transverse panel (6 and 7) that is articulated by hinge on the lower side of the upper frame (3). And of these four side walls, two major vertical walls opposite longitudinal sides each comprise a panel longitudinal upper (8) and a lower longitudinal panel (9), of substantially equivalent dimensions. The top panel (8) it is articulated by hinge on the major side of the upper side (3). The bottom panel (9) is articulated by hinge on the major side of the bottom (2). The two upper and lower panels (8 and 9) are articulated with each other by means of hinge type longitudinal pivoting along a horizontal line (H).

When the user exerts a push (P) towards the inside the box (1), the transverse walls (6 and 7) pass by pivoting a vertical position of use (shown in figure 1) to a horizontal folding position (represented in figure 2) towards the inside of the box (1). Y when the user exerts a push (P ') towards the inside of the box (1), the upper and lower longitudinal panels (8 and 9) pass by pivoting a vertical position of use (shown in figure 1) to a horizontal folding position (represented in figure 3) towards the inside of the box (1). The upper longitudinal panels (8) fold over the panels lower longitudinal (9).

It should be noted that the thrust (P ') on the upper and lower longitudinal panels (8 and 9) is not necessary, as long as the transverse walls (6 and 7) are folded towards the inside of the box (1) and no longer perform the brace function and the weight of the upper frame (3) makes the upper and lower longitudinal panels (8 and 9) be refunded on the bottom
(2).

The opening (4) is closed by two half-stages (11 and 12) (only represented in figure 1). The bottom (2) It also comprises a supplementary base plate (13). This plate (13) has dimensions smaller than the dimensions of the background (2). A peripheral step (14) is created by this plate (13) displaced with respect to the bottom (2). The plate (13) serves as pedestal. When an upper box is stacked on a box lower (see figure 7), the stepped (14) of the upper case cooperates with the upper frame (3) of the lower case and serves to stabilize the latter.

According to the invention, in order to prevent any untimely or fraudulent opening of the walls transverse lateral verticals (6 and 7), the box (1) comprises blocking means (16). These means (16) are intended for block the transverse walls (6 and 7) in an upright position, when the box (1) is filled with a full or partial load. For complete stabilization of the transverse walls (6 and 7), these means (16) also allow to avoid a folding of the box (1) by return of the upper frame (3) on the bottom (2).

As depicted in Figure 5, the locking means (16) comprise an elongated flat leg or tongue  (17) that is part of the fund (2). As the transverse walls (6 and 7) must be locked, four tabs (17) are arranged, two being provided for the first transverse wall (6) and others two for the second transverse wall (7). The tabs (17) are arranged towards the lower longitudinal panels (9). The tabs (17) are longitudinally oriented towards the walls transversal (6 and 7).

The tongue (17) further comprises a teeth (18) which shape stands up, that is in the direction of inside the box (1) and / or in the direction of the upper frame (3), a from its upper face (19) and at the level of its free end (21). When obtained from molding with the bottom (2), the tongue (17) it also has a fixing area (22), which serves as a point of pivot The tongue (17) is thus mobile and can pass from one locked position towards an unlocked position and vice versa.

The bottom (2) has a peripheral flange (23) which is deployed upwards in the direction of the upper frame (3). The transverse wall (6) has a free lower end (24). When the transverse wall (6) is blocked, its lower end free (24) is caught between the teeth (18) of the tongue (17) and the peripheral flange (23) of the bottom (2). For this caught, it prevents any movement of pivoting the wall transversal (6).

Since the tongue (17) is elongated, it it goes on to extend over the plate (13) bottom outlet (2). Finally avoid any discontinuity with the bottom plate (13) (2) to step level (14), the tongue (17) has a lower excrescence (26) turned down and located in it flat than the plate (13).

With reference to figure 6, when the box deployed (1) is placed on the ground (27), the plate (13) serves standing and resting on the ground (27) and lower excretion (26) of the tongue (17) also comes into contact with the ground (27). For these contacts with the ground (27) and when the box (1) is loaded, a pivoting movement down (see arrows R in figures 8 and 9) of the tongue (17) with respect to the bottom (2) It is prevented. The weight of the load placed on the bottom (2) in the inside the box (1) causes the excrescence (26) and thus the tongue (17) remain applied against the ground (27). The tab (17) is in the locked position. Lower end free (24) of the transverse wall (6) is thus locked between the toothed (18) and the peripheral flange (23) of the bottom (2), any that is the thrust (P) exerted on the transverse wall (6).

With reference to figure 7, when a first unfolded box (1) is stacked on a second box (28), the plate (13) is inserted into the opening of the upper frame (3) of the second box (28). The periphery of the bottom (2) of the first box (1) rest on the upper edge (29) of the upper frame (3) of the second box (28). The stepped (14) sticks against the face inside (31) of the upper frame (3) and prevents a tilting of the first box (1) with respect to the second box (28).

For these contacts with the second box (28) and when the first box (1) is loaded, a movement of pivot down (see arrow R of figures 8 and 9) of the tab (17) with respect to the bottom (2) is prevented. The weight of the load placed on the bottom (2) inside the box (1) it makes the free end (21) and thus the tongue (17) remain applied against the upper edge (29) of the upper frame (3) of the second box (28). The tongue (17) is in the locked position. Y the lower free end (24) of the transverse wall (6) is thus locked between the teeth (18) and the peripheral flange (23) of the bottom (2) of the first box (1), whatever the thrust (P) that is exerted on the transverse wall (6).

When the box (1) is empty (see figures 8 and 9), a thrust (P) exerted on the transverse wall (6) makes pivot this same transverse wall (6) with respect to the frame superior (3) on its hinge. It should be noted to this end that the Free bottom end (24) of the transverse wall (6) has a complementary conformation of the teeth (18) with which it cooperates. TO this end, when the thrust (P) takes place, the inner edge (32) of the lower free end (24) of the transverse wall (6) is supported on the outer slope (33) of the teeth (18). The tongue (17) pivot then progressively down (R arrows on the Figures 8 and 9).

If the box folding operations (1) are made on a flat surface, the weight of the box (1) just not it is enough to keep the tongue (17) in position. The extreme Free bottom (24) is released, passes over the teeth (18) and enters in the box (1). By spring effect, the tongue (17) returns to the origin position (arrow B in figure 8). Cross wall Swing (6) easily passes over the teeth (18) of the tongue (17) and is inside the box (1). The means of Lock (16) are no longer held in safety position.

When deployment operations of the empty box (1), the swinging transverse wall (6) passes easily on the teeth (18), the outer edge (32) of the end Free bottom (24) of the transverse wall (6) rests on the internal slope (33) of the teeth (18). The tongue (17) pivots then progressively down (arrows R in figures 8 and 9). After the teeth (18), the tongue (17) returns to the position of origin by spring effect (arrow B in figure 8). He Free bottom end (24) is again in the recess provided between the teeth (18) and the peripheral flange (23) of the background (2). The transverse wall (6) is thus locked in rotation by blocking means (16).

The present invention is not limited to embodiments described and illustrated. Numerous modifications can be made without departing from the framework defined by the scope of the set of claims. He number and shape of the tongue (17), of the teeth (18) can be variable

Claims (9)

1. Folding parallelepiped box, of the type comprising a bottom (2), an upper frame (3), four collapsible side walls (6, 7, 8, 9) that extend vertically between the upper frame (3) and the bottom (2), being at least one of the folding side walls (6, 7) suitable for pivoting with respect to the upper frame (3), and locking means (16), arranged at the bottom level (2) and which they block the free lower edge (24) of the collapsible side wall (6, 7), characterized in that the locking means (16) comprise at least one movable tongue (17), which has on its upper face (19) a serrated (18) which is deployed from the bottom (2) in the direction of the upper frame (3), the teeth (18) being abutted against the free bottom bottom (24) of the collapsible side wall (6, 7), being the lower face of the mobile tongue (17) intended to be placed against a support (27, 28), so as to block said mobile tongue (17) and block any pivoting movement of the collapsible side wall (6, 7), when the box (1) is loaded and rests on the support (27, 28), and so as to allow any pivoting movement of said folding lateral wall (6 , 7) when the box (1) is empty. 2. Box according to claim 1, characterized in that the free lower edge (24) of the retractable side wall (6.7) is trapped between the teeth (18) of the movable tongue (17) and the outer flange (23) of the background (2). 3. Box according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the movable tongue (17) forms part of the bottom (2). 4. Box according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom (2) further comprises a bottom plate (13) of dimensions substantially smaller than those of the bottom (2), which delimits a peripheral step (14) and constitutes a pedestal . 5. Box according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the movable tongue (17) is part of the bottom (2) and the plate (13). 6. Box according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the support is constituted by the floor (27), the lower face of the tongue (17) being at the level of the plate (13) intended to be placed against the floor (27 ). 7. Box according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the support is constituted by a second box (28), the first box (1) being stacked on the second box (2), the lower face of the tongue ( 17) at the bottom level (2) intended to be placed against the upper face (29) of the upper frame (3). 8. Box according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two opposite folding side walls, each made in an upper panel (8) that is integral and is suitable for pivoting with respect to the upper frame (3) and a lower panel ( 9) which is in solidarity and is suitable for pivoting with respect to the bottom (2), the two panels (8, 9) being in solidarity and being suitable for pivoting with respect to each other, and two opposite folding side walls (6, 7) , each being in solidarity and being appropriate to pivot with respect to the upper frame (3) and presenting a free lower edge (24). 9. Box according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises mechanical means for detecting an opening and pivoting with respect to the upper frame (3) of at least one of the folding side walls (6, 7, 8 , 9).