JP2009023709A - Foldable box body - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a foldable box body which has a hinge, shows excellence in durability and precision and keeps excellent appearance without damaging easy assemblability. <P>SOLUTION: The box body has a square bottom plate 1 and four side plates 2 and 3 as major components, and the side plates 2 and 3 have tilting end surfaces 5 and 6 both butting against each other. The neighboring side plates 2 and 3 are connected to each other by a first hinge device 8 in the first corner part 10, and are connected to each other by a second hinge device 9 in the second corner part 11. The first hinge device 8 has a first bending center 12 positioned on the inner corner. The second hinge device 9 is slidable to the first side plate 2, and accordingly the side plates 2 and 3 become a linearly extended state by being rotated relatively around the second bending center 13 of the second hinge device 9. The box body is made by stacking the tilting surfaces 5 and 6 with the side plates 2 and 3 crossed perpendicularly. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a foldable box having a rigid structure that can be used for various purposes including packaging of goods.

  Various types of folding have been proposed for the purpose of reducing the occupied space in a state where the contents are not stored in a box having a rigid structure in which the bottom plate and the side plate are made of resin or wood.

  As an example, the applicant of the present application has proposed a box body that can be folded into a flat shape in Patent Document 1 by connecting adjacent side plates with a hinge device. In the example disclosed in Patent Document 1 (first embodiment), the side plate overlaps the outer surface of the resin plate material, and the adjacent plate materials are connected by the hinge portion. It consists of two types, an inner hinge located at the inner corner and an outer hinge located at the outer corner. By alternately arranging the inner hinge portion and the outer hinge portion along the circumferential direction, the four side plates The torso can be folded flat.

As another known example, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a foldable container in which a side plate is connected to a bottom plate by a hinge device, and Patent Document 3 discloses a side member adjacent to a connecting member ( A folding container is disclosed in which the body portion can be folded in a flat shape by being connected by a hinge device. In Patent Document 3, the end portions of the connecting members are connected to adjacent side plates by pins, and the adjacent side plates are orthogonal by making the distance between the pair of pins the same as the thickness dimension of the side plates. The posture can be changed freely to the overlapping posture.
JP 2005-28997 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-264928 JP 2003-104364 A

  The box is used for various purposes, and one of the uses is a container for packaging products. The packaging container is required to have good appearance (appearance). However, Patent Documents 2 and 3 mainly use, for example, a returnable box used for transporting parts to a factory, and it can be said that the goodness of appearance in the first function is hardly taken into consideration (in the returnable box). In the first place, good appearance is not required.) On the other hand, Patent Document 1 intends a packaging container (packaging box) as one application. For example, a high-quality packaging box using a wooden board can be provided.

  Now, the hinge device in each embodiment of Patent Document 1 has a bending function using elastic deformation of a material, and the applicant of the present application has repeated trial manufacture and marketing. As a result, the overall appearance is similar to that of, for example, the first embodiment of Patent Document 1, and it is conceived that there is a strong demand for a packaging box having an appearance in which each side plate is almost a single plate. It came to.

  The present invention has been made through such circumstances, and provides a foldable box that is further considered in terms of aesthetics for things that can be folded flat like Patent Document 1, and Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide some improved techniques accompanying this.

  The present invention can be broadly divided into two versions. The first version belongs to a superordinate concept. As described in claim 1, the first version includes a bottom plate having a square shape in plan view and a plurality of side plates corresponding to each side of the bottom plate, and adjacent to each other. In the folding type in which the side plates or between the bottom plate and the side plate are connected by only a bendable hinge device or a bendable hinge device and a non-bendable connecting member, the side plate or the bottom plate includes A space into which the hinge device or the connecting member enters is vacant, and the hinge device or the connecting member is hidden in the space so that all or most of the hinge device or the connecting member is not exposed to the outside in the assembled state.

  The second version is an embodiment of claim 1 and, as described in claim 2, the present invention comprises a flat rectangular bottom plate and four side plates, and each side plate has a side plate. By forming the end face as an inclined end face inclined at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the outer surface in plan view, the inclined end faces of the adjacent side plates in the assembled state overlap each other, and the adjacent side plates can be bent. It is intended for folding boxes that are connected by a hinge device.

  The hinge device according to claim 2, wherein the hinge device crosses the side plates adjacent to each other in a plan view and the first hinge device for allowing the side plates to change their postures between the posture orthogonal to the plane view and the posture overlapped with each other. And a second hinge device for allowing the posture to be freely changed between a straight posture and a posture extending linearly, and the first hinge device and the second hinge device are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction. The basic structure is that it is possible to fold four side plates.

  Further, in claim 2, the bending center of the first hinge device is located at the intersection of the inner side surfaces of the two side plates connected by the first hinge device, and thereby the first hinge device The two connected side plates are allowed to overlap each other, and the second hinge device is inclined by either or both of the two side plates connected by the second hinge device. It is attached to both side plates so that the bending center moves far and away with respect to the end surface, and when the bending center of the second hinge device is separated from the inclined end surface of one or both side plates, the two side plates do not interfere with each other. Further, each side plate has a space for the hinge device to enter, and in the assembled state in which the inclined end surfaces of adjacent side plates overlap each other, each hinge device has its entirety or a large size. Minute is hidden in the cavity so as not to be exposed to the outside.

  According to the first aspect, since the hinge device or the connecting member is not exposed to the outside at all or hardly even though it is a foldable box, the side plate can be manufactured to have an appearance as if it is a single plate structure. . For this reason, it can be made into a box body excellent in appearance, and as a result, it is optimal as a high-grade packaging box.

  Basically, the folding box can be roughly divided into a type in which the side plates are connected to the bottom plate and a type in which the side plates are connected to each other by a hinge device. Claim 1 includes both types. . Also, looking at the side-by-side structure of adjacent side plates, the side end surfaces of each side plate are in a form perpendicular to the inner surface and the outer surface, the side end surface of one side plate abuts against the inner surface of the other side plate, The side plate of the side plate is roughly divided into a type (a kind of frame structure type) in which the side plate of the side plate is an inclined end surface that is inclined at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the outer surface, and the inclined side surfaces of adjacent side plates are butted together The invention of claim 1 includes both types.

  The invention according to claim 2 is applied to a type in which adjacent side plates are connected by a hinge device, and the side end surfaces of the side plates are inclined end surfaces that intersect at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the outer outer surface. The second hinge device is slidably attached to the side plate so that the two side plates are allowed to extend in a straight line. As a result, the body portion composed of the four side plates is flattened. It is extremely easy to form a rectangular tube from a simple state. Therefore, the box can be quickly assembled while suppressing exposure of the hinge device at all or as much as possible.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 10 show a first embodiment in which the bending center 2 is embodied, and FIG. 11 and subsequent drawings show other embodiments (second to seventh embodiments). Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described sequentially. In the following explanation (and claims), a word indicating a direction such as “plan view” or “horizontal direction” is used to specify the configuration. The box is based on the placed state, and the box is actually placed in various postures.

(1). Outline of First Embodiment First, an outline of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A is an exploded perspective view of the box in the folded state, FIG. 1B is a perspective view in the middle of assembly, and FIG. 2A is a plan view of the trunk in the folded state, (B)-(D) is a figure which shows the procedure of an assembly, and FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view after an assembly.

  The box body has a rectangular bottom plate 1 in plan view, two long first side plates 2 corresponding to the long sides of each side of the bottom plate 1, and two short lengths corresponding to the short sides of the bottom plate 1. The second side plate 3 and the lid plate 4 are provided. Each of these members is manufactured using a resin such as polypropylene or polycarbonate, the bottom plate 1 and the cover plate 4 are injection-molded products, and the side plates 2 and 3 are extruded products. However, the material and the processing method are only examples. For example, the side plates 2 and 3 can be manufactured by injection molding, and the bottom plate 1 and the lid 4 can be made of wood or resin sheet.

  The side end surfaces 5 and 6 of the side plates 2 and 3 intersect with the outer surfaces 2a and 3a of the side plates 2 and 3 at an angle of 45 ° in plan view and intersect with the inner surfaces 2b and 3b at an angle of 135 °. It has an inclined end face. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, in the state assembled as a box, the adjacent side plates 2 and 3 abut the side end surfaces 5 and 6 with each other. Moreover, the lower part of each side plate 2 and 3 is shape | molded so that the fitting groove 7 in which the edge part of the baseplate 1 fits may be opened inside.

  Adjacent side plates 2 and 3 are connected by a hinge device, and the four side plates 2 and 3 are connected in an annular shape as a whole, and two types of hinge devices 8 and 9 are used for connection. That is, the body portion formed of the four side plates 2 and 3 includes a pair of corner portions (first corner portion 10 and second corner portion 11) positioned diagonally, but the pair of first corner portions 10 The first hinge device 8 is used for the connection of these locations, and the second hinge device 9 is used for the connection of the locations of the other pair of second corner portions 11.

  And the 1st hinge apparatus 8 has a bending center (it displays with the black circle to which the code | symbol 12 was attached for convenience) in the part which inner surface 2b, 3b of the side plates 2 and 3 cross | intersect by planar view, For this reason, in the location of the 1st corner part 10, the side plates 2 and 3 will be in a 2-fold state so that it may mutually contact | adhere. Therefore, in the folded state, at the location of the first corner portion 10, an outwardly open V-groove is formed by the side end surfaces 5 and 6 of the adjacent side plates 2 and 3.

  On the other hand, in the second hinge device 9, the center of bending (indicated by a black circle with a reference numeral 13 for convenience) is located between the inner surfaces 2b, 3b of the side plates 2, 3 and the outer surfaces 2a, 3a. At the same time, the bending center 13 is slidably attached to the side plates 2 and 3 so as to move relative to the first side plate 2. For this reason, when the bending center 13 is separated from the first side plate 2, The joined side plates 2 and 3 extend in a straight line with the second corner portion 11 as the center. As a result, the four side plates 2 and 3 are folded in a flat shape, and in the folded state, at the location of the first corner portion 10, the side end surfaces 5 and 6 of the side plates 2 and 3 adjacent to each other open V inwardly. Grooves are formed.

  The bottom plate 1 is formed in a shallow dish shape with a downward opening provided with a peripheral wall 1a. This is to reduce the weight while ensuring the shape retaining property of the box after completion by ensuring a certain thickness, but the entire body is made equal thickness or a reinforcing rib is appropriately formed. It is also possible. The lid 4 has middle legs 14 that enter the inside of the trunk (the bottom plate 1 is overlapped with the lid 4 in an inverted state).

  The side plates 2 and 3 constituting the box are connected by hinge devices 8 and 9 after being manufactured, and are stored and transported in a folded state as shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and 2 (A). Is called. Needless to say, when one box is stored as a set of side plates 2 and 3, bottom plate 1 and lid 4, and side plates 2 and 3 constituting a large number of boxes. In some cases, the bottom plate 1 and the lid 4 are stored for each member.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a: the folded side plates 2 and 3 are expanded into a rectangular shape to form each cylindrical body, and b: the bottom plate 1 is fitted into the body from below or above. The bottom plate 1 is fitted into the fitting groove 7 of the first side plate 2. c: The side plates 2 and 3 adjacent to each other at the second corner portion 11 are pushed by pushing the pair of second side plates 3 closer to each other. The procedure is performed by abutting the side end surfaces 5 and 6 and fitting the bottom plate 1 into the fitting groove 7 of the second side plate 3. As will be described in detail later, the second hinge device 9 is held so as not to slide out from the first side plate 2.

  The assembled box can be folded in the reverse procedure. For this reason, for example, when used for a packaging box, after the contents are removed, the consumer can fold and store it, and then reassemble and use it for other purposes. Such repeated use is a great advantage of the present embodiment.

(2) Details of Side Plate and First Hinge Device Next, details of the side plates 2 and 3 and the first hinge device 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A is a perspective view of the first hinge device 8 as viewed from the outside, FIG. 4B is a partially enlarged plan view of the first hinge device 8, and FIG. 5 is the first hinge device 8 and the side plate 2. 6 is a perspective view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5 in a state of being a box, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5 in a folded state. FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views taken along the line VII-VII of FIG.

  For example, as can be easily understood from FIG. 5, the side plates 2, 3 are formed in a hollow shape having a void 16, and thus have an inner surface plate 17, an outer surface plate 18, an upper end plate, and a lower end plate. In addition, inclined end surfaces 5 and 6 are constituted by a total of these end surfaces, and the cavity 16 is open on both sides. The width dimension of the void 16 is about twice the thickness of the inner surface plate 17 and the outer surface plate 18.

  An upper rib 19 is formed on the upper surface of the inner surface plate 17, while a lower step portion 20 for forming the fitting groove 7 is formed on the lower portion of the inner surface plate 17. The upper rib 19 and the lower step portion 20 are formed. The hinge devices 8 and 9 are fitted so that they cannot be displaced vertically. Very shallow notches 21 into which the hinge devices 8 and 9 are fitted are formed at both left and right ends of the inner surface plate 17. Needless to say, the two first side plates 2 and the two second side plates 3 are of the same type.

  The first hinge device 8 is a single-structure molded product manufactured by an injection molding method using a resin that can be elastically deformed as a material, such as polypropylene and polyethylene, and a pair of symmetrical left and right fixing members 23 and , And consists of a thin hinge portion 24 that connects both the fixing members 23. The thin hinge portion 24 forms the bending center 12. Most of the fixing member 23 is inserted into the space 16 of the side plates 2 and 3, and the end continuous to the thin hinge portion 24 is a bank portion 25 that fits into the notch 21 of the side plates 2 and 3. ing. Therefore, the bank 25 and the thin hinge 24 are exposed inside the box. The fixed member may be rephrased as a movable body.

  The exposed surface of the bank portion 25 is designed to be flush with the exposed surface of the inner surface plate 17 (the inner surfaces 2b and 3b of the side plates 2 and 3), but there may be some level differences due to processing errors. As clearly shown in FIG. 4B, the thin hinge portion 24 has a slight lateral width so as to have a length along a direction orthogonal to the inclined end surfaces 5 and 6 in plan view. That is, it has a strip shape that is vertically long and long, and the flexibility is ensured while maintaining the strength.

  In the state in which the inclined end surfaces 5 and 6 of the side plates 2 and 3 are abutted and the box is constituted by the side plates 2 and 3, the thin hinge portion 24 is held in a flat state without bending. , 3 are held in a state in which the inclined end surfaces 5 and 6 are in close contact with each other. (That is, the thin hinge portion 24 also has a function of holding the side plates 2 and 3 at 90 degrees at the position of the first corner portion 10).

  The fixing member 23 of the first hinge device 8 is substantially rectangular, and basically has a plate shape that is slightly thinner than half the width of the void 16 and overlaps the inner surface plate 17 of the side plates 2 and 3. The fixing member 23 is formed with a positioning rib 26 that overlaps the outer surface plate 18 of the side plates 2 and 3 at a portion of the periphery excluding the free end, and is surrounded by a laterally U-shaped slit 27. Upper and lower elastic pieces 28 are formed, and pin-like protrusions 30 that fit into engagement holes 29 formed in the inner surface plates 17 of the side plates 2 and 3 are formed at the free ends of the elastic pieces 28.

  The slit 27 is configured to open toward the side opposite to the thin-walled hinge portion 24. For this reason, the elastic piece 28 is configured to extend toward the thin-walled hinge portion 24 from near the free end of the fixing member 23. In order to make it easy to fit the fixing member 23 into the space 16 of the side plates 2 and 3, the tip end portion of the positioning rib 26 is cut in an inclined shape. In addition, as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 4, the positioning rib 26 a may be formed at the free end of the fixing member 23.

  The engagement hole 29 and the protrusion 30 are formed in a circular shape. As described above, the side plates 2 and 3 are made of extruded products, and the long extruded products are cut to form the notches 21 and the engagement holes 29 by post-processing. When an extruded product is used as in the present embodiment, the side plates 2 and 3 have the same material even if they have different lengths. Therefore, the materials can be shared among a plurality of types having different sizes. As a result, cost reduction can be realized in manufacturing various types of boxes.

  Needless to say, when the fixing member 23 of the first hinge device 8 is fitted into the space 16 of the side plates 2 and 3 from the end, the elastic piece 28 is caused by the protrusion 30 hitting the inner surface plate 17 during the pushing. Then, when the fixing member 23 is pushed all the way in, the protrusion 30 fits into the engagement hole 29 and the elastic piece 28 overlaps the inner surface plate 17, whereby the first hinge device 8 cannot be detached from the side plates 2 and 3. Retained. Although it is possible to provide only one protrusion 30 on one fixing member 23, if a plurality of protrusions 30 are provided as in the present embodiment, it is possible to effectively prevent backlash, so that the shape retaining property of the box is remarkably enhanced. There are advantages.

(3) Details of Second Hinge Device Next, details of the second hinge device 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view, FIG. 9A is a partially broken front view of the side plates 2 and 3 linearly extended, and FIG. 8B is a plan view taken along the line BB of FIG. C) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in (A), (D) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 10, and (A) in FIG. (B) is a plane sectional view of the important section in the state where it was assembled and cut into a box, and (C) is a CC sectional view of (B).

  The second hinge device 9 is connected to the first fixing member 32 by a pin 33 and a first fixing member 32 fixed to the second side plate 3 so as to be bent, and is fitted into the space 16 of the first side plate 2. A slide member 34 to be mounted and a second fixing member 35 that is held on the first side plate 2 so as not to be displaced are configured to overlap the second fixing member 35 and the slide member 34 (FIG. 9A). Here, the slide member 34 is indicated by a bold line so that the overlapping relationship between the slide member 34 and the second fixing member 35 is clear.

  The first fixing member 32 is similar to the fixing member 23 of the first hinge device 8, and elements common to the fixing member 23 of the first hinge device 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. Therefore, the first fixing member 32 is attached to the second side plate 3 so as not to move because the protrusion 30 fits into the engagement hole 29. As described above, in the second hinge device 9, the first fixing member 32 and the slide member 34 are connected by the pin 33. For this reason, the pin 33 fits between the first fixing member 32 and the slide member 34. Bearing portions 36 and 37 are provided. Needless to say, the axis of the pin 33 corresponds to the second bending center 13.

  For example, as can be understood from FIG. 10A, the pin 33 is always located at the position of the inclined end surface 6 of the second side plate 3 and between the inner surface 3b and the outer surface 3b in the plan view. , 3 face each other, the axial center of the pin 33 is located at the position of the inclined end surface 5 of the first side plate 2 in plan view. That is, the second hinge device 9 is in a state in which the pin 33 (or the second bending center 13) moves far and away with respect to the inclined end surface 6 of the second side plate 2.

  The slide member 34 does not move with respect to the first fixing member 32, but slides relative to the first side plate 2 in the lateral direction. The left and right width dimensions are the same as those of the first fixing member 32, and the bank portion 25 fits into the notch 21 of the first side plate 2. . For example, as shown in FIG. 9D, the slide member 34 and the second fixing member 35 are overlapped with each other so as to be fitted in the space 16 of the first side plate 2 so as not to be rattled. The member 34 and the second fixing member 35 have a plate thickness that is approximately half the width of the space 16.

  The second fixing member 35 basically has a plate shape, has the same vertical dimension as the slide member 34, and includes a pair of upper and lower protrusions 30 that fit into the engagement holes 29 of the first side plate 2. ing. Further, the second fixing member 35 and the slide member 34 move relative to each other in the horizontal direction, and by this relative movement, the adjacent side plates 2 and 3 extend linearly or perpendicularly at the second corner portion 11. It is possible to cross over.

  Then, as an engaging means (holding means) for selectively holding the relative position between the slide member 34 and the second fixing member 35, a portion of the slide member 34 near the free end has an inner portion of the first side plate 2. The upper, middle, and lower three lock pins 38 extending toward the face plate 17 are formed, while the second fixing member 35 has two upper and lower end sandwiching bodies 39 that sandwich the lock pin 38 and two upper and lower ends sandwiched therebetween. Two intermediate clamping bodies 40 are formed. The end clamping body 39 is formed in a narrow branch shape, while the intermediate clamping body 40 is formed in a frame shape in which the inside is hollowed in order to enable elastic deformation.

  The interval between the adjacent end holding members 39 and the intermediate holding member 40 and the interval between the upper and lower adjacent holding members 40 are halfway from the roots of the holding members 39 and 40 toward the end. Until the interval gradually decreases, and then the interval gradually increases toward the end. That is, the engagement groove 41 formed by the adjacent sandwiching bodies 39 and 40 is constricted so that a narrowed portion 41a smaller than the outer diameter of the lock pin 38 is formed in the middle portion between the back and the end. In the state where the adjacent side plates 2 and 3 extend linearly, the lock pin 38 is positioned at the innermost first position 41b of the engagement groove 41, and the inclined end surfaces of the adjacent side plates 2 and 3 are located. The lock pin 38 is set so as to be positioned at the second position 41 c just outside the constricted portion 41 a of the engagement groove 41 in the state where the surfaces 5 and 6 are abutted.

  As can be easily understood from the drawing, in order for the lock pin 38 to shift to the first position 41b and the second position 41c, the holding bodies 39 and 40 must be elastically deformed. In other words, the lock pin 38 is selectively held at both the second positions 41b and 41c by the elastic resistance of the sandwiching bodies 39 and 40, so that the adjacent side plates 2 and 3 can be folded. It is selectively held in a state in the form of a box.

  The end clamping body 39 is set so that the front end thereof contacts the upper rib 19 and the lower step portion 20 of the first side plate 2. Therefore, when the lock pin 38 moves to both positions 41 b and 41 c, a considerably strong first resistance is provided. Can be granted. Further, since the tip of the intermediate clamping body 40 is connected, it is possible to give a considerably strong elastic resistance when the lock pin 38 moves to both the positions 41b and 41c. Since both of these sandwiching bodies 39 and 40 can impart strong elastic resistance, the state of the box can be maintained without impairing the ease of relative sliding operation between the first side plate 2 and the slide member 34.

  The slide member 34 and the second fixing member 35 are inserted into the space 16 of the first side plate 2 in a state where they are overlapped with each other. In this case, the protrusion 30 must escape into the void 16 during insertion. Therefore, the protrusion 30 is formed at the front end of the second fixing member 35 on the side opposite to the sandwiching bodies 39 and 40, and the front end of the second fixing member 35 is elastically deformed on the slide member 34 to escape. An allowable recess 42 is formed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, the front end portion of the second fixing member 35 is disengaged from the recess 42 of the slide member 34 when the inclined end surfaces 5 and 6 of the side plates 2 and 3 are in contact with each other. Even if the protrusion 30 is pushed from the inside of the box, it does not come out of the engagement hole 29 and the state of the box is maintained. That is, by allowing the second fixing member 35 to escape and turn into the recess 42 in a state where the side plates 2 and 3 are separated from each other, the ease of mounting of the second hinge device 9 is not impaired. The form retainability is ensured.

  Needless to say, the engaging means for selectively positioning the slide member 34 and the second fixing member 35 may have another structure. Further, as an escape means for allowing the projection 30 to escape when the side plate 2 is fitted into the space, for example, an elastic piece defined by a slit is partially formed on the projection 30 and the projection 30 is formed on the elastic piece. On the other hand, it is also possible to form a window hole through which the elastic piece escapes in the slide member 34.

(4) Summary / Variation As described above, in the present embodiment, the box can be folded into a flat shape, and can be formed into a use state by a simple operation. Further, the hinge devices 8 and 9 have only the bank portion 21 exposed slightly inside the box body, and since only the appearance of the side plates 2 and 3 can be seen from the outside, they are excellent in aesthetics. Ideal as a container.

  As described above, at the position of the first corner portion 10, the posture in which the side plates 2 and 3 are orthogonally held by the thin hinge portion 24 of the first hinge device 8 is maintained. On the other hand, at the location of the second corner portion 11, as can be understood from FIG. 10B, in other words, the pin 33 is located between the inner end and the outer end of the inclined end surfaces 5, 6, Since the inclined end surfaces 5 and 6 of the side plates 2 and 3 are abutted on both sides of the pin 33 in plan view, the adjacent side plates 2 and 3 are held so as not to be relatively rotatable. The present embodiment also has such advantages. Further, the structure having the pins 33 is excellent in durability and accuracy.

  The hinge device can adopt various structures. For example, the first hinge device 8 may have a structure in which two fixing members are connected by pins, or the first fixing member and the slide member 34 of the second hinge device are integrated with a resin. It is also possible (a structure having a thin hinge).

  Needless to say, the size and depth of the box can be arbitrarily set according to the user's request. When the depth of the box is as deep as several times the vertical height of the hinge device, for example, a plurality of hinge devices 8 and 9 may be attached at different height positions of one corner portion 10 and 11. Further, the side plates 2 and 3 can be injection-molded products instead of being extruded, and the inner plate and the outer plate can be composed of separate members and superposed together. is there.

  Further, the side plates 2 and 3, the bottom plate 1, and the lid 4 can be made of metal, ceramics, or a composite structure of resin and wood. Viscous and cement-based hollow extruded sintered ceramics are frequently used for building siding, but such ceramic products can be diverted to the side plates 2 and 3. Note that the first side plate 2 and the second side plate 3 can be squares having exactly the same size.

(5). Second embodiment (FIG. 11)
FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment. In this embodiment, the first hinge device 8 in the first embodiment is a pin type. That is, the first hinge device 8 has two fixing members 23 manufactured separately, a bearing portion 36 is formed on the bank portion 21 of both fixing members 23, and the pin 33 is inserted through the bearing portion 36. . In this case, the bearing portion 36 is formed so as to extend continuously over the entire length of the fixing member 23 as a whole, so that the metal pin 33 is not exposed. If the colors of the fixing member 23 and the side plates 2 and 3 are unified, it can be said that the bearing portion 36 is hardly visible and is suitable.

(6). Third embodiment (FIGS. 12 to 13)
12 to 13 show a third embodiment. This third embodiment is a variation of the configuration encompassed in claim 1, FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the first hinge device 8 and the connecting member 44 used, and FIG. 13A shows the side plates 2 and 3. FIG. 4 is a partially broken plan view in a state where the fold is folded, (B) is a plan view in a folded state and is a plan view showing an assembly procedure.

  In the third embodiment, the structures of the side plates 2 and 3 are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the feature is that the lateral width of the first side plate 2 is twice or more the lateral width of the second side plate 3; The first hinge device 8 (which may be the structure of the second embodiment) and the connecting member 44 that is not bent are used in combination. As in the first embodiment, the pair of side plates 2 and 3 are connected to each other by a first hinge device 8 so as to be foldable.

  On the other hand, the connecting member 44 is an injection-molded product made of resin. The first flap 44a is fitted into the recess 16 of the first side plate 2 and the first flap 44a is fitted into the recess 16 of the second side plate 3. Two flaps 44b are integrally connected. Both flaps 44a and 44b have positioning ribs 26 and elastic pieces 28 surrounded by slits 27. Projections 30 are provided on the elastic pieces 28 in a protruding manner.

  In this case, the first flap 44a has the same width as the fixing member 23 in the first hinge device 8, and the slit 27 opens toward the free end of the first flap 44a, but the second flap 44b The dimension L protruding from the inner surface 2b of the first side plate 2 is set to be not more than twice the thickness T of the side plates 2 and 3, and the slit 27 opens toward the opposite side of the free end of the second flap 44b. is doing.

  In this embodiment, when storing and transporting, the four side plates 2 and 3 are connected to each other by the first hinge device 8 as a set, and the connecting member 44 is attached to the first side plate 2. Yes. Accordingly, the second flap 44b of the connecting member 44 is exposed. Then, as shown in FIG. 13B, the two sets of side plates 2 and 3 are overlapped with the second side plate 3 sandwiched between the first side plates 2. In this case, since the projecting dimension of the second flap 44b of the connecting member 44 is not more than twice the thickness T of the side plates 2 and 3, the second flap 44b of the connecting member 44 interferes with other members in the stacked state. There is nothing.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 13C, the two sets of side plates 2 and 3 are spread out, and the second flap 44b of the connecting member 44 in one set is fitted and attached to the second side plate 3 in the other set. By mounting the bottom plate 1, a box is configured. Even in this embodiment, the first hinge device 8 and the connecting member 44 are hardly exposed, so that the appearance is excellent. The bottom plate 1 and the lid 4 can be overlapped on the folded side plates 2 and 3, and in this case, the thickness of the entire set is more than twice the thickness of the side plates 2 and 3. The 44 second flaps 44b can be longer than shown.

(7). Fourth embodiment (FIG. 14)
FIG. 14 shows a fourth embodiment. (A) is a cross-sectional plan view of the main part in the vicinity of the second corner portion 10 with the side plates 2 and 3 extended, and (B) is the second corner portion 10 with the side plates 2 and 3 orthogonal to each other. FIG. 5C is a schematic plan view of the first corner portion in the folded state.

  In this embodiment, when the second hinge device 9 is configured such that two fixing members 9a are connected by pins 33, the axial center (second bending center 13) of the pins 33 is formed between the side plates 2 and 3 in a plan view. It is characterized by a point located at the intersection of the outer surfaces 2a and 3a. Therefore, in this embodiment, the second hinge device 9 does not need to be slid with respect to any of the side plates 2 and 3 and is assembled in the same manner as in Patent Document 1.

  In this embodiment, the pin 33 is hidden behind the bearing portion 36 of the fixing member 9a and is not exposed to the outside, and the bearing portion 36 is slightly exposed outside the box. Even if the bearing portion 36 is exposed, the area occupied on the outer surface of the box is very small, so that it is predicted that no problem of appearance will actually occur. Further, by unifying the colors of the fixing member 9a and the side plates 2 and 3, or by applying a cosmetic skin material 47 on the outer surface, an excellent appearance can be secured. Furthermore, it can be said that an excellent external appearance can be ensured by making the vertical height of the bearing portion 46 smaller than the vertical height of the side plates 2 and 3. Although the engagement hole 29 is formed in the outer surface plate 17 of the side plates 2 and 3, it is needless to say that the engagement hole 29 may be formed in the inner surface plate 17.

(8). Fifth embodiment (FIGS. 15 to 16)
15 to 16 show a fifth embodiment. 15A is a plan sectional view of the main part, FIG. 15B is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 16A with the inner surface plate 17 of the side plates 2 and 3 omitted, and FIG. ) Is a cross-sectional plan view of the main part in a foldable state, and (B) is a cross-sectional plan view of the main part in a state of forming a box.

  In this embodiment, the folding / assembling procedure is the same as in the first embodiment, and the first hinge device 8 of the first embodiment or the second embodiment is used to connect the first corner portions 10. Yes. On the other hand, the second hinge device 9 as one member is used at the location of the second corner portion 11, and the structure of the second hinge device 9 has a feature of this embodiment.

  That is, the second hinge device 9 includes a first fixing member 9 a that is fitted and attached to the first side plate 2, and a second fixing member 9 b that is fitted and attached to the second side plate 3. The pin 33 is connected in the same position as the second hinge device 9 of the first embodiment and the first fixing member 9a has the same structure as the first fixing member 32 of the first embodiment. A temporary holding elastic piece is formed on the second fixing member 9b so that a temporary holding elastic piece 48 positioned on the free end side thereof and a main holding elastic piece 49 positioned on the pin 33 side are opposed to each other. 48 is formed with a temporary holding projection 50 that fits shallowly into the engagement hole 29 of the inner surface plate 17, while the main holding elastic piece 49 is formed with a book holding projection 51 that fits deeply into the engagement hole 29. ing.

  The temporary holding projections 50 are formed in a trapezoidal shape with a slightly smaller dimension than the thickness of the inner surface plate 17 and a gentle angle, so that the inclined end surfaces 5 and 6 abut the side plates 2 and 3. When a certain amount of force is applied and pressed, the temporary holding elastic piece 49 is bent and deformed, and the temporary holding protrusion 50 can be detached from the engagement hole 29. On the other hand, the book-holding projection 51 is firmly fitted in the engagement hole 29. Once the book-holding projection 51 is fitted in the engagement hole 29, the book-holding projection 51 is held even if the side plates 2 and 3 are pulled together. The projection 51 does not come out of the engagement hole 29.

  In this embodiment, the box can be folded while the temporary holding projection 50 is fitted in the engagement hole 29, and the main holding projection 51 is positioned in front of the engagement hole 29. In the case of the box, as in the first embodiment, after setting the bottom plate 1, the side plates 2 and 3 are pushed at the second corner portion 11 to overlap the inclined end surfaces 5 and 6. However, by this movement, after the temporary holding projection 50 is detached from the engagement hole 29, the main holding projection 51 is fitted into the engagement hole 29, so that the form of the box can be maintained even when an external force is applied. Retained.

  When the box that has been opened once is folded, the main holding projection 51 may be pushed into the recess 16 to be separated from the engagement hole 29 and the side plates 2 and 3 may be pulled apart from each other. As shown in FIG. 16, it is convenient to prepare an operation tool 53 provided with a vertical protrusion 52 on the plate as a member for pushing the main holding protrusion 51 in this way. In this case, if the operation tool 53 is set so that the protrusion 52 is aligned with the engagement hole 29 in a state in which one side surface is applied to the inner surface of the second side plate 3 and the lower end surface is applied to the bottom plate 1, 52 is particularly preferred because it is automatically positioned.

(9) Sixth embodiment (FIG. 17)
FIG. 17 schematically shows the sixth embodiment. In this embodiment, the side end surfaces 2c and 3c of the side plates 2 and 3 are formed in a state orthogonal to the outer surfaces 2a and 3a and the inner surfaces 2b and 3b in a plan view, and the second side plates 3 are spread in a box. The side end surface 3 c is set so as to contact the inner surface 2 b of the first side plate 2. Although not described in detail, the adjacent side plates 2 and 3 are connected to each other at the first corner portion 10 by a hinge device similar to the first hinge device 8 of the first embodiment. In 11 places, it connects with the hinge apparatus similar to the 2nd hinge apparatus 9 of 1st Embodiment or 5th Embodiment.

(Ten). Seventh embodiment (FIG. 18)
FIG. 18 shows a seventh embodiment. This embodiment is applied to a type in which the side plates 2 and 3 are connected to the bottom plate 1, (A) is a plan view showing the folded state of the side plates 2 and 3 by phantom lines, and (B) is a diagram of (A). BB view schematic diagram, (C) is a CC view schematic diagram of (A), (D) and (E) are schematic diagrams showing the folding procedure of the second side plate 3, and (F) is the side plates 2 and 3 It is a plane sectional view showing an example of a connection mode. Although (B) to (E) are originally cross-sectional views, they are schematically shown in this figure.

  In this embodiment, the inner surfaces 2b and 3b of the side plates 2 and 3 overlap the outer periphery of the bottom plate 1 in a state of forming a box, and the inclined end surfaces 5 and 6 are the side end surfaces of the side plates 2 and 3, respectively. Further, the side plates 2 and 3 are provided with a stopper portion 54 on which the edge of the bottom plate 1 is placed. The first side plate 2 and the bottom plate 1 are connected by a first hinge device 8 having a fixing member. Therefore, the first side plate 2 can be folded so as to overlap the upper surface of the bottom plate 1.

  On the other hand, the second side plate 3 and the bottom plate 1 are connected to each other by a second hinge device 9, and this second hinge device 9 is only slightly sized outside the bottom plate 1 (about the thickness of the side plates 2 and 3). The second side plate 3 can be drawn upward relative to the second hinge device 9 by the sum of the thicknesses of the bottom plate 11 and the first side plate 2, and the second side plate 3 faces upward. The second bending center 13 is positioned at the height of the upper surface of the second side plate 2 superimposed on the bottom plate 1 in the pulled-out state.

  Therefore, the box can be folded in a state in which the first side plate 2 is stacked on the bottom plate 1 and the second side plate 3 is stacked thereon, and the second side plate 3 is raised and then slid downward. → first side plate 2 → The second side plate 3 can be pushed over the end surface of the bottom plate 1 and adjacent side plates 2 and 3 can be connected to form a box. It is preferable to provide holding means for holding the second side plate 3 in a state of being overlapped on the outer surface of the bottom plate 1. As an example of the connecting means for the side plates 2 and 3, in (F), an engagement claw 55 is provided in one of the portions of the inclined end surfaces 5 and 6 that overlap with each other, and an engagement hole 56 in which this is fitted is provided in the other. However, it is possible to adopt this structure.

(11). Eighth embodiment (FIG. 19)
FIG. 19 shows an eighth embodiment. (A) is a plane sectional view of each corner portion, and (B) is a plan view showing an example during assembly. In this embodiment, the adjacent side plates 2 and 3 are connected by the same kind of hinge device 9 ', and this second hinge device 9' is basically the same as the second hinge device 9 of the first embodiment. For this reason, components having the same structure are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The slide member 34 in the hinge device 9 'has a recess 42 as in the first embodiment, but this is not shown in the figure.

  The feature of the eighth embodiment is that the pin 33 of the hinge device 9 'is located at the intersection of the inner surfaces 2b and 3b of the side plates 2 and 3, and the slide stroke between the slide member 34 and the second fixing member 35 is It is larger than in the case of the first embodiment. The sliding stroke between the sliding member 34 and the second fixing member 35 is larger than that in the third embodiment because the bending centers 12 and 13 are located at the intersections of the inner side surfaces of the side plates 2 and 3 at two corners. This is because the side plates 2 and 3 adjacent to each other must be rotated relative to each other from an orthogonal posture to a linearly extending posture.

  In this embodiment, the first side plate 2 can be folded away from each hinge device 9 'at all corners. In the assembly in this case, as shown in FIG. After unfolding, the hinge device 9 'is pushed into the first side plate 2 at all corners (the bottom plate is omitted). Alternatively, the hinge device 9 ′ may be pulled out from the first side plate 2 only at a location where the side plates 2 and 3 spread linearly from a right angle. In this case, the folding mode and the assembly mode are the same as those in the first embodiment. Be the same.

  If the side plates 2 and 3 adjacent to each other are connected by the same kind of hinge device 9 'in all corner portions as in the eighth embodiment, the number of members can be suppressed and the cost can be reduced. In this case, a single structure that slides relative to the side plates 2 and 3 as in the fifth embodiment may be used. In addition, the hinge device 9 'may be configured to have a vertically symmetric structure and a horizontally symmetric structure so that both the left and right flap portions slide relative to the side plates 2 and 3, in this case. Since the directionality of the hinge device 9 ′ is lost, there is an advantage that the side plates 2 and 3 can be connected quickly.

  When the same kind of hinge device 9 'is arranged at all corner portions, the pin 33 can be positioned at the outer corner portion (that is, the portion where the outer surfaces of the adjacent side plates 2 and 3 intersect).

(12). Others The present invention can be embodied in various ways other than the above embodiment. For example, the box is not limited to a quadrangular shape having four side plates, but may be a pentagonal shape or a hexagonal shape in plan view. Further, the side plate and the bottom plate do not have to be hollow as a whole, and it is possible to form a recess only in a portion where the hinge device is fitted. The form of the hinge device and the attachment structure to the side plate can be arbitrarily set. The means for attaching the bottom plate and the side plate is not limited to one using a fitting groove, and various structures such as one using an engaging claw and an engaging hole can be adopted. It is also possible to form irregularities that fit into each other when forming a box on the inclined end surfaces of adjacent side plates.

  When used as a container, the bottom plate is essential, but when the side plate is connected with a hinge device or a connecting member, the body and the bottom plate are sold separately or the bottom plate is prepared by the user for actual sales. Is also possible. Moreover, in this specification, the connection structure of only the side plate group which excluded the baseplate from the component requirements is also disclosed.

It is a figure which shows the rough form of the box which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the procedure of folding and an assembly. It is a schematic perspective view of a box. It is a figure which shows a 1st hinge apparatus. It is a separate perspective view of a 1st hinge apparatus and a side plate. (A) is the VI-VI sectional view of FIG. 5 in the state formed with the box, (B) is the VI-VI sectional view of FIG. 5 in the folded state. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 5 in a state of forming a box. It is a separation perspective view of the 2nd hinge device. (A) is a partially broken front view of the second hinge device, (B) is a plan view taken along the line BB of (A), (C) is a sectional view taken along the line CC of (A), (D ) Is a sectional view taken along the line DD in (A). (A) (B) is a figure which shows the procedure of an assembly, (C) is CC sectional view taken on the line of (B). It is a figure which shows 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the hinge apparatus and connection member which concern on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the folding state and assembly procedure of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows 5th Embodiment, (A) is a plane sectional view, (B) is BB view sectional drawing of (A). It is a figure which shows the assembly procedure of 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows 6th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows 7th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows 8th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bottom plate 2 1st side plate 3 2nd side plate 4 Lid 5, 6 Inclined end surface 7 Fitting groove 8 1st hinge apparatus 9 2nd hinge apparatus 12 1st bending center 13 2nd bending center 16 Side plate space 23 1st hinge Device fixing member 24 Thin hinge portion of first hinge device 28 Elastic piece 29 Engagement hole 30 Protrusion 32 First fixing member 33 Pin (shaft)
34 Slide member 35 Second fixing member 38 Lock pin 39, 40 Holding body

Claims (2)

A bottom plate having a rectangular shape in plan view and a plurality of side plates corresponding to each side of the bottom plate, and only a hinge device that can be bent between adjacent side plates or between the bottom plate and the side plate is bent or bent. A folding box connected by a flexible hinge device and a connecting member that cannot be bent;
The side plate or the bottom plate has a space where the hinge device or the connecting member enters, and the hinge device or the connecting member is hidden in the space so that the whole or most of the hinge device or the connecting member is not exposed to the outside in the assembled state.
Foldable box. A flat rectangular bottom plate and four side plates are provided, and the side end surfaces of the side plates are adjacent to each other in an assembled state by forming inclined end surfaces inclined at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the outer surface in plan view. In addition, the side plates are folded side-by-side, and the adjacent side plates are connected by a flexible hinge device.
The hinge device includes a first hinge device for changing the posture between adjacent side plates orthogonal to each other in a plan view and a posture overlapping with each other, and a straight shape with a posture obtained by crossing adjacent side plates in a plan view. A second hinge device for changing the posture to an extended posture, and the four side plates are arranged by alternately arranging the first hinge device and the second hinge device along the circumferential direction. In the configuration that can be folded,
The bending center in the first hinge device is located at the intersection of the inner side surfaces of the two side plates connected by the first hinge device, and thereby the two hinge plates connected by the first hinge device. While the side plates are allowed to overlap each other,
The second hinge device is attached to both side plates so that the center of bending moves relative to one or both inclined end surfaces of the two side plates connected by the second hinge device. When the bending center of the two hinge device is separated from the inclined end surface of one or both side plates, the two side plates are allowed to extend linearly without interfering with each other,
Further, each side plate has a space for the hinge device to enter, and in the assembled state in which the inclined end surfaces of adjacent side plates overlap each other, each hinge device has a space so that all or most of the hinge device is not exposed to the outside. Hiding in the
Foldable box.

Images