JP2003200926A - Plastic container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a plastic container having a rigidity where several stages of plastic containers can be stacked up under their assembled state, stored and transported, capable of adapting for a partial damage of the plastic container through its simple replacement, having a less number of component parts and further capable of being folded in flat state, sent back and used again. <P>SOLUTION: Each of the side plates 21 of a plastic container is connected to each other to form a container-like shape. There is provided a hinge structure 23 capable of being folded in a flat state where two side plates are stacked up while being connected to each other. With such an arrangement as above, each of the side plates 21 is made integral in an upward or downward direction to keep a rigidity required for stacking-up operation. Each of the side plates 21 is connected by the hinge structure 23 to enable the side plates to be folded in a thickness corresponding to two side plates and further replacement of only each of the side plates 21 can be carried out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plastic container, in which a plastic inner bag is put in place of the conventional 18-liter steel can so that it can be repeatedly used. It has the same strength and rigidity as steel cans that can be stacked with each other, and can be folded when storing and recovering.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As one of containers for paints and chemicals, 18
A liter (hereinafter, referred to as 18 L) rectangular steel can or the like is used, and it is generally treated as a waste after using paint or chemicals.

On the other hand, in recent years, there has been an increasing demand for effective utilization of global resources and recycling from disposables, and it has been desired to be able to repeatedly use large containers such as 18L cans.

Therefore, it is conceivable to use a foldable plastic container used for the transportation and transportation of various articles, and to put paints and chemicals contained in a plastic bag into the container. After use, only the plastic bag is discarded, and the outer plastic container can be folded and returned for repeated use.

Various foldable plastic containers have been proposed, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56-142.
In the transport box of Japanese Patent No. 145, as shown in FIG. 4, a bottom plate 4, a side plate 5 and a lid plate 6 are formed by a plastic thin plate through an inward fold 1, an outward fold 2 and an inner / outer fold 3. It is assembled into a rectangular parallelepiped box that can be folded into a flat shape.

Further, in the folding container disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-96031, as shown in FIG.
The long side plate 13 is connected to the long side of each of them via the hinge 12, and the long side plate 13 is also provided with a hinge 14 at the middle part so that it can be folded and connected to the tip end thereof via the hinge 15. The part 13a is formed into one part,
A connecting portion 16a is formed at the tip of the short side plate 16 which is fitted and connected to the short side of the bottom plate 11 via a hinge 17 to form another component, and a rectangular frame-shaped fixing frame 18 is prepared. While fixing the connecting portion 13a at the tip of the longitudinal side plate 13 to the longitudinal portion of the fixed frame 18 with screws or fusion, the fixed frame 18
The connecting portions 16a of the short side plates 16 are fixed to the respective short portions by screws or fusion bonding, and can be assembled into a rectangular parallelepiped container or can be folded.

[0007]

However, since any plastic container can be folded by providing a fold or a hinge in the middle portion of the side plate, it can be used in a state in which a bag containing paint or the like is stored. When trying to stack
The former shipping box cannot retain its shape, and even the latter folding container has a problem that the rigidity of the container itself is insufficient and it cannot be stacked and stored or transported in a stable state. .

Further, the former shipping box has a problem that it cannot be partially replaced when it is partially damaged and the whole must be discarded. Even in the latter folding container, it is fused to the fixed frame. In the case of doing so, there is a problem in that even if part of the damage is caused, the whole must be discarded.

Further, in the latter folding container, when an 18 L can-shaped container whose height is higher than the side of the opening is required, it cannot be folded with the integrated short side plate, and the short side plate is not able to be folded. If a hinge is provided in the middle part so that the hinge can be folded, there is a problem that the rigidity required for stacking cannot be secured.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. It has rigidity that allows it to be stacked and stored for several stages in an assembled state, and can be transported even if it is partially damaged. It is an object of the present invention to provide a plastic container which can be handled by replacing it with a new one, has a small number of parts, and can be folded and returned to a flat state for recycling.

[0011]

In order to solve the above problems, a plastic container according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises at least four side plates and two lid plates for closing the upper and lower sides of the container connecting these side plates. In the plastic container, the side plates are connected to each other to form a container, and a hinge structure is provided which allows two flat plates to be folded in a connected state in a flat state. .

According to this plastic container, the plastic container is composed of at least four side plates and two lid plates that close the top and bottom of the container connecting these side plates, and the side plates are connected to each other to form a container. At the same time, a hinge structure that allows two flat sheets to be folded in a connected state is provided, and each side plate is vertically integrated to ensure the rigidity required for stacking, and each side plate is hinged. It can be connected by a structure and folded to a thickness of two sheets, and it is also possible to replace only each side plate.

A plastic container according to a second aspect of the present invention is, in addition to the structure according to the first aspect, provided with the hinge structure including two shaft members and a connecting member for connecting them. It is characterized in that the side surfaces of are connected so as to rotate while contacting each other.

According to this plastic container, the hinge structure has two shaft members and a connecting member for connecting them, and the side faces of these shaft members are connected so as to rotate while contacting each other. The two side plates can be either linearly or stacked.

Further, the plastic container according to a third aspect of the present invention is, in addition to the structure according to the second aspect, provided with a meshing structure that meshes with each other between the two shaft members and rotates without slipping. It is characterized by that.

According to this plastic container, a meshing structure is provided between the two shaft members so that they can rotate without slipping, and the rotating state is maintained even when the two shaft members are provided. It is regulated so that it can be assembled and folded securely.

In addition to the structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the plastic container according to claim 4 of the present invention can be attached to and detached from the upper and lower end portions of each side plate and the periphery of the lid plate. It is characterized in that an engagement connection structure for connection is provided.

According to this plastic container, the engaging and connecting structure for detachably connecting the upper and lower end portions of each side plate and the periphery of the lid plate is provided, and the upper and lower lid plates can be easily attached and detached. I am trying.

Further, in addition to the structure according to claim 4, the plastic container according to claim 5 of the present invention has side projections formed by spacing the engagement connection structure and these side projections. The lateral ridges are shorter than the space between the lateral ridges, and the lateral ridges are sandwiched between the lateral ridges to be engaged and connected, and the lateral ridges between the lateral ridges are moved relative to each other. It is characterized by being attached and detached.

According to this plastic container, the engaging and connecting structure is engaged with the lateral ridges formed at intervals and shorter than the space between the lateral ridges by sandwiching the lateral ridges up and down. It is composed of side grooves that are joined together, and the side grooves inserted between these side ridges are moved relative to each other to attach and detach, and the lid plate can be attached and detached with a slight relative movement. become able to.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the structure according to any of the first to fifth aspects, the lid plate is rotatably connected to the main body and the main body. The main body portion is engaged and connected to the side plate by the engaging and connecting structure, and then the turning portion is turned to be engageable and connectable.

According to this plastic container, the lid plate is
It is composed of a main body portion and a rotating portion rotatably connected to the main body portion, and the main body portion is engaged and connected to the side plate by the engagement connecting structure, and then the rotating portion is rotated and engaged and connected. Is possible,
After the main body portion of the lid body is engaged and coupled, the pivot portion of the lid body is pivotally engaged and coupled, whereby the lid body can be attached and detached more easily.

Further, in addition to the structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the plastic container according to claim 7 of the present invention is fitted and positioned on the two lid plates in a stacked state. It is characterized in that a fitting positioning portion is formed.

According to this plastic container, the two lid plates are formed with the fitting positioning portions that are fitted and positioned with respect to each other in the stacked state, and the stacked state is shifted by the fitting positioning portions. You will be able to hold without.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of a plastic container of the present invention.
2 is an external perspective view of an assembled state and an external perspective view of a folded state, FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a hinge structure, a partial sectional view of a container assembled state and a partial sectional view of a container folded state, and FIG. 3 is a lid plate and a side plate respectively. It is a partial perspective view of an engagement connection mechanism in a separated state, and a partial perspective view of a connected state.

This plastic container 20 is, for example, 18
It is used as an outer container for accommodating a plastic bag or the like containing contents such as paints and chemicals in place of the L steel can, and is made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene.

The material of the plastic container 20 is not limited to polypropylene, and other synthetic resin materials may be used as long as they are strong enough to withstand the load when stacking several stages during storage or transportation. good.

As shown in FIG. 1, this plastic container 20 is composed of a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped hexahedron, and is provided with four side plates 21 and two upper and lower lid plates 22. By these six surfaces, a container having a space whose upper and lower surfaces are square and whose height is higher than one side of the square is provided.

Therefore, in this plastic container 20, the four side plates 21 have the same shape, and the lateral cross section of each side plate 21 has a rectangular outer corner cut out by an inclined surface. As shown, the inside of the side plate 21 has a flat surface 21a, and the outside of the container has a grid-shaped rib 2a.
1b ensures the necessary strength and rigidity, while at the same time reducing the weight.

A hinge mechanism 23 is provided on each side of the side plate 21, and the two side plates 21 and 21 to be connected are placed in a right-angled state, two are placed in a straight line, or two are stacked. It can be put into a closed state.

In the hinge mechanism 23, as shown in FIG. 2, the center of the cylindrical shaft member 23a is located on the extension line of each inner flat surface 21a in a state where the end portions of the side plates 21 are butted against each other at a right angle. And the shaft member 23a
Are integrally formed with the side plate 21 so that the cylindrical side surfaces of the two side plates are in contact with each other, and the connecting member 23b is fitted from the outside so as to surround these two shaft members 23a, so that the two side plates 21 can rotate. It is connected.

A hinge mechanism 2 composed of the two shaft members 23a and a connecting member 23b for connecting them.
Although a plurality of three 3 are provided above and below the side plate 21, two in the illustrated example, the number is appropriately determined according to the height of the side plate 21 of the plastic container 20 and the required connecting strength.

By connecting the four side plates 21 with each other by the hinge mechanism 23, the side plates 21 are brought into a state of being perpendicular to each other by each hinge mechanism 23, so that the plastic container 10 can be assembled. It is possible (see FIG. 1A and FIGS. 2A and 2B).

On the other hand, with this hinge structure 23, the two side plates 2 are arranged so that the diagonal positions of the four side plates 21 are aligned.
The side plates 21 and 21 are overlapped at both ends, and the two side plates 21 and 21 are linearly formed in the central portion, so that the four side plates 21 are folded into a thickness of two sheets. It is possible to fold the upper and lower side plates 21 and 21 in close contact with each other (see FIGS. 1B and 2C).

According to the plastic container 20 having the side plate 21 and the hinge mechanism 23, since the side plate 21 has an integral structure in the vertical direction, the plastic container 20
It is possible to secure the necessary strength and rigidity even when stacking several layers, and when folding, it is possible to completely make the thickness of two side plates 21.

As the hinge structure 23, since the shaft members 23a of the respective side plates 21 are rotated while being in contact with each other, the rotation angle between the side plates 21 may not be constant if slippage occurs, or the side plates 21 may not rotate. The corners may be displaced from each other, but can be eliminated by providing a meshing structure such as gear teeth in at least the rotational contact area of the shaft member 23a. Since this meshing structure can be integrally formed when the side plate 21 is formed, the formation is easy.

Next, the upper and lower lid plates 22 of the plastic container 20 have a square outer shape corresponding to the shape of the upper and lower surfaces of the side plate 21 in the assembled state, and are cut out at four corners at right angles to the periphery. The protruding side wall portion 24 is integrally formed and is continuous with the outer surface of the side plate 21 in the assembled state.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the upper and lower lid plates 22 are divided into a main body 22a and a rotary portion 22b which is rotatably connected to the main body 22a and is opened and closed. There is. Two support shafts 22c are integrally provided inside the divided portion of the main body portion 22a, and a locking portion 22d protruding to the outside of the rotating portion 22b is locked so as to cover it from above so that it can be opened and closed. is there.

The main body portion 22a and the rotating portion 22b are
The size of, for example, the rotating portion 22b with respect to the main body portion 22a
Has a length of about 1/6, and a main body 22a described later.
After being moved relative to each other for locking and coupling, the rotating portion 22b can be rotated for locking and coupling.

In the lid plate 22, the side plate 21, and the locking connection mechanism 25, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 3, side projections 25a projecting to the outside of the container are formed at both ends of the upper end surface of the side plate 21. It is formed at three places in the central portion with an interval, and an interval wider than the length of each of the lateral protruding portions 25a is formed.

On the other hand, the main body portion 22a of the cover plate 22 is provided with lateral groove portions 25b which vertically sandwich the lateral ridge portions 25a at positions corresponding to the lateral ridge portions 25a of the three surrounding side plates 21. It is formed so as to project inside the side wall portion 24. In addition, a positioning plate 25c, which abuts against the inner surface of the side plate 21 and is positioned, is integrally formed on the main body portion 22a of the cover plate 22 so as to be in contact with the inner surface of the side plate 21 in parallel with the sidewall portion 24.

Therefore, by means of this locking connection mechanism 25, the main body portion 22a of the lid plate 22 is displaced rearward above the three side plates 21 around the side plate 21 in the assembled state, and between the side projections 25a. The side groove portion 25b is inserted, and the lid body 22 is relatively moved forward so that the main body portion 22a is located on the three side plates 21.

Then, the side projections 25a of the three side plates 21 and the side grooves 25b of the cover plate 22 are engaged and connected, and the side projections 25a are sandwiched by the side grooves 25b to move vertically. The positioning plate 25c is not detached, and the side plate 21
The movement of the cover plate 22 is restricted by the flat surface 21a of the above, and the state in which the cover plate 22 is firmly locked and connected is obtained.

When the main body portion 22a of the cover plate 22 is connected, the rear positioning plate 25c interferes with the side plate 21. However, the elasticity of the resin is used to get over the side plate 21 and lock it. Be connected. Further, depending on the resin used, the positioning plate 25 at the rear of the main body portion 22a of the lid plate 22 may be used.
You may make it omit c.

Further, the turning portion 22b of the cover plate 22 is formed with only the lateral groove portion 25b at a position corresponding to the lateral ridge portion 25a of the side plate 21 inside the side wall portion 24, and the lateral groove portion 25b.
Notch 25d obliquely cut out on the outside of the lower protrusion
Is formed so as not to interfere with the upper end surface of the side plate 21 when the rotating portion 22b is rotated to be closed.

Therefore, after the main body portion 22a of the cover plate 22 is moved backward from the side plate 21 by the lock connection mechanism 25 and moved forward to be locked and connected to the side plate 21, the cover plate in the open state. When the rotating portion 22b of 22 is closed,
The side protrusions 25a of the side plate 21 are locked so as to enter the groove of the side groove 25b so that the side protrusions 25a do not come off vertically, and the main body 22a of the cover plate 22 is also relatively movable rearward. Then, the lid plate 22 is connected and fixed to the side plate 21.

As a result, sufficient strength can be ensured even if paints or chemicals are placed in a plastic bag with the lid plate 22 as the bottom.

On the other hand, when removing the cover plate 22, first, the rotating portion 22b is rotated upward to open it, and then the main body portion 22a is moved relative to the rear portion so as to be lifted. You can remove it.

Further, in this plastic container 20,
A fitting positioning portion 26 is formed so as to prevent misalignment in stacking and positioning, and a convex portion is formed on one of the upper and lower lids 22 and a concave portion 26a is formed on the other, and these are fitted together. By doing this, you can prevent misalignment. In addition, in FIG.
Although the concave portion 26a is provided as the fitting positioning portion 26 in the upper lid, it is preferable that the concave portion is formed in the bottom lid and the convex portion is formed in the upper lid so that the fitting positioning portion 26 is stable in an upright state.

The plastic container 20 constructed in this way
Then, by removing the upper and lower cover plates 22, the four side plates 21
Can be folded into a thickness of two sheets, and moreover, since the upper and lower side plates 21 are folded in close contact with each other, they can be efficiently returned and reused in a minimum space.

Further, even a vertically long container such as the conventional 18 L steel can can be easily folded.

In this plastic container 20, 4
Since one side plate 21 has the same shape, if one part is damaged, it is possible to deal with it by replacing only one side plate 21.

Further, the cover plate 22 has a main body portion 22a.
It is possible to deal with damage or the like by exchanging only the rotating portion 22b.

Further, in this plastic container 20,
The side plate and lid plate can be independently molded without integrating multiple side plates or the side plate and lid plate, so the mold required for molding can be made small, efficient, and inexpensive. Can be molded into.

In the above embodiment, the case of a plastic container having a shape replacing the 18L steel can has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same can be applied to a case having a rectangular parallelepiped or polygonal upper and lower surfaces. It is also possible to use as a container in place of a circular can by increasing the number of side plates to form a regular polygon.

The hinge structure is the same as that of the above-described embodiment.
The present invention is not limited to the case where the shaft members are arranged in contact with each other and connected by the connecting member, and other structures may be used as long as they can be in a linear state, a stacked state, and a right angle state.

Further, the locking and connecting structure of the side plate and the lid plate is not limited to the case of the side projecting ridge portion and the side groove portion described in the above-mentioned embodiment, and it can be securely attached and detached. Good.

In the above embodiment, the case where the cover plate is composed of the main body portion and the rotating portion to open the rotating portion has been described. The mouth of the bag may be positioned so that the contents can be directly taken out from the bag without opening the lid.

[0059]

As described above in detail with the embodiment, according to the plastic container of the first aspect of the present invention, at least four side plates and the container connecting these side plates are closed at the upper and lower sides 2 With a plastic container consisting of a single lid plate, the side plates are connected to each other to form a container, and a hinge structure is provided so that two sheets can be folded flat in a connected state. It is possible to secure the rigidity required for stacking each side plate as one unit on the top and bottom, and to fold the side plates to a thickness of two by connecting them with a hinge structure. It is also possible to replace only each side plate.

According to the plastic container of the second aspect of the present invention, the hinge structure is provided with two shaft members and a connecting member for connecting them, and the side surfaces of these shaft members are rotated while contacting each other. Since the structure is connected so as to move, the two side plates can be either in a straight line or in a state of being stacked, and can be returned in a minimum space and recycled.

Further, according to the plastic container of the third aspect of the present invention, the two shaft members are provided with the meshing structure which meshes with each other and rotates without sliding. Even when a member is provided, the rotating state can be regulated so that the member can be reliably assembled or folded.

Further, according to the plastic container of the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the engaging and connecting structure for detachably connecting the upper and lower end portions of each side plate and the periphery of the lid plate is provided, The cover plate can be easily attached and detached.

Further, according to the plastic container of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the engaging and connecting structure is formed with the side projections formed at intervals and the side projections are shorter than the space between the side projections. The ridges are composed of side grooves that are vertically inserted to be engaged and connected, and the side grooves inserted between these side ridges are moved relative to each other to be attached and detached. The lid plate can be easily attached and detached by performing such relative movement.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the plastic container, the lid plate is composed of a main body portion and a rotating portion rotatably connected to the main body portion, and the main body portion is the engaging member. Since the joint portion is engaged and connected to the side plate and then the rotating portion can be rotated and engaged, the main body portion of the lid body is engaged and connected, and then the rotating portion of the lid body is rotated. The lid can be attached and detached more easily by engaging and connecting the lids.

Further, according to the plastic container of the seventh aspect of the present invention, the two lid plates are provided with the fitting positioning portions which are fitted and positioned with respect to each other in a stacked state. The stacked state can be held by the positioning unit without shifting, and can be more safely stored and transported.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an assembled state and an external perspective view of a folded state according to an embodiment of a plastic container of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a hinge structure according to an embodiment of a plastic container of the present invention, a partial sectional view of a container assembled state, and a partial sectional view of a container folded state.

3A and 3B are a partial perspective view and a partial perspective view, respectively, of a lid plate and a side plate according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the engaging and coupling mechanisms of the lid plate and the side plate are in a separated state.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of an assembled state of a conventional transport box and a plan view of the folded state.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of components of a conventional folding container and an external perspective view during assembly / disassembly.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 plastic containers 21 Side plate 21a flat surface 21b rib 22 Lid plate 22a main body 22b Rotating part 22c support shaft 22d locking part 23 Hinge mechanism 23a shaft member 23b connecting member 24 Side wall 25 Locking connection mechanism 25a Side protrusion 25b lateral groove 25c Positioning plate 25d notch 26 Fitting positioning part 26a recess

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A plastic container comprising at least four side plates and two lid plates for closing the upper and lower sides of a container connecting these side plates, said side plates being connected to each other to form a container, and connected. A plastic container provided with a hinge structure that allows two sheets to be folded flat in the same state. 2. The hinge structure comprises two shaft members and a connecting member for connecting the shaft members, and side surfaces of the shaft members are connected so as to rotate while contacting each other. The plastic container according to claim 1. 3. The plastic container according to claim 2, wherein a meshing structure that meshes with each other and rotates without sliding is provided between the two shaft members. 4. The plastic container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an engagement connection structure that is detachably connected to both upper and lower end portions of each side plate and the periphery of the lid plate. . 5. The engagement connecting structure is engaged and connected by laterally extending ridges formed at intervals and shorter than the interval between the laterally extending ridges by vertically sandwiching the lateral ridges. 5. The plastic container according to claim 4, wherein the plastic container comprises a lateral groove portion, and the lateral groove portion, which is provided between the lateral ridge portions, is relatively moved to be attached / detached. 6. The cover plate is composed of a main body portion and a rotating portion rotatably connected to the main body portion, and the main body portion is engaged and connected to the side plate by the engaging and connecting structure and then rotated. The plastic container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the moving part is rotated to enable engagement and connection. 7. The plastic container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the two lid plates are formed with fitting positioning portions that are fitted and positioned with respect to each other in a stacked state.