MXPA01005286A - Collapsible container with unbroken top wall - Google Patents

Abstract

A collapsible container comprises a mainly rectangular base frame (5), four side sections (1, 2, 3, 4) pivotally connected to each their respective side of the four sides of the base frame (5), and a top wall (6). The top wall (6) is formed as an unbroken wall extending in the raised position of the container between the top edges of the side walls (1, 2, 3, 4) and closing the container at the top. The top wall (6) is furthermore connected to one of the side walls (1) in such a way that it in a combined pivoting and displacing movement can be guided back and forth between the above closing position and a position in which the top wall (6) is hanging down along the exterior of the side wall (1) in the upright position of this one. A strong and stable top section that is easy and quick to operate when the container is to be raised or collapsed is obtained with this structure.

Description

í FOLDING CONTAINER WITH NON-DIVIDED UPPER WALL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a collapsible container 5 for transporting a load and comprises a mainly rectangular base section, four lateral sections pivotally connected to its respective side of the four sides of the base section, an upper section connected in pivoting shape with a first section , so that the sections are adapted to pivot relative to each other between a first position in which rows extend mainly in parallel through each of the others and a second position in which they define together a chamber for the containment of the load.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Folding containers are used to a large extent to transport a load from one place to another. The cargo may consist of articles or a liquid. In the latter case, the liquid is transported in a liner or bag-shaped liner, which is supported by the container. When the container has been unloaded, it is returned in a downed state, which results in a considerable savings in transportation costs.

F From WO 97/31832, a collapsible container is known comprising a four-sided base that includes a base board removably mounted on a base frame supporting a base board or panel. A pair of lid halves are hinged to the uppermost edges of the first and second side walls on floating hinges, which allows the lid halves to pivot to a lowered position, in which these are flush with the outer surfaces of the side walls first and second. The container is a bag-type container in IBC box with an upper section, which is divided into two parts. WO 91/12999 has to do with a transport cart in the shape of a box, where the upper part of the trolley is a top shelf with a special design. When this removably mounted shelf is in its horizontal position, the leading edge and the side portions of the profile member will enclose the upper front corners of the cart, holding them together and providing protection. The collapsible containers usually have a hinged pallet base frame for the pivotal mounting of the side sections. In a downed state, the lateral sections will remain, therefore, stacked on top of the base frame and in the unfolded state, i.e., in the erect state, they are normally secured in a connected manner along adjacent sides so as to be able to absorb the pressure of the load. The upper section of the known folding containers is hinged in one of the side sections. However, the upper section is frequently of relatively large size and, therefore, uncomfortable and difficult to pivot when the container is going to stand up or to be folded down. To facilitate this operation, the upper section is therefore divided into at least two hinged parts, so that operations can occur in at least two successive steps. However, this structure is expensive and, in addition, it is difficult and time consuming to operate it since the necessary deployment and the subsequent demolition of the upper section parts requires additional work operations. To this it must be added that the strength and stability of the upper wall are reduced due to the division of the upper wall into hinged parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to provide a collapsible container of the type mentioned in the opening paragraph, which has a strong and stable upper section and which is easier and faster to operate than the containers known to this day. , when the container is going to stand up or to fold. The unique and unique features, in accordance with the invention, by means of which this is achieved, is the fact that the upper section is constructed as a non-divided upper wall, same as in the second position of the sections, it extends between the upper edges of the side sections and, that this undivided top wall, is adapted to describe a combined movement of pivot and displacement when guided between the second position and a third position in which the upper wall extends mainly parallel to the corresponding lateral section in the second position of this section. In this way, in an easy and fast way, using for example only one hand and in a single sliding movement, the upper section can be guided between its final position, in which it closes the container at the top and towards its position along the first lateral section. According to the invention, these movements are guided by means of at least one guide rod that pivotally connects the first lateral section with the area of the side of the upper wall joining the side Pl 86 upper of the first lateral section in the second position and at least one pivot guide placed in the uppermost part of the first lateral section to receive a corresponding slide constructed in the upper wall and extending in the same direction as the direction in which this upper wall is moving between the second and third positions. To obtain a simple and stable guided structure, a guide rod can be pivotally placed in the middle part of the two vertical sides of the first side section in the second position and in the upper part an angular pivoting guide can be placed, of the which a branch extends through a slide in the form of a projecting or projecting flange, constructed in the upper wall. When the upper wall rises from its third position, its lower end thus describes a circular arc in a guided shape, while the rest of the upper wall will swing upwards at the same time as it is further pushed and, furthermore, through of the pivot guides, which during this slide are holding the upper wall in place. Each guide rod can advantageously be pivotably connected to the upper wall by means of an axle bearing formed on the guide rod and placed on a bearing in the form of a U-shaped clamp, placed on the underside of the wall upper and whose length is greater than the transverse side of the axle bearing. In this way, the upper wall can during the dismantling, be pulled conveniently to release it a little of its final position in the container before the pivot connection of the guide rod and the upper wall effectively starts to operate and guides the movement of the wall superior the rest of the way. In the terminal phase, the upper wall moves in an almost translational form very closely through the upper sides of the vertical side sections. This characteristic feature, according to the invention, is advantageously used to secure the upper wall in its final position as the hooks constructed in the upper wall are pushed towards its coupling with the first side wall, while the upper wall itself is pushed towards its coupling with the hooks built on the upper side of the other side sections. The hooks in the two side sections that are perpendicular to the first side section in the second position, can be formed as hooks that engage with inclined grooves in the protruding flanges of the top wall, in such a way that the two side sections remain fixed to each other by the upper section. In the upper section, a latch can be additionally fitted with the uppermost securing fittings on the opposite side of the first lateral section, in such a way that the upper wall holds this side to the first side when the latch is activated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be explained below in more detail, describing only the exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a collapsible container, in accordance with the invention, the figure 2 shows on a larger scale a detail of the collapsible container, figure 3 is an oblique plan view in perspective from the right side of the collapsible container of figure 1, figure 4 is the collapsible container of figure 1, but with a upper section folded along the right side, figure 5 shows a step of the movement of the upper section shown in figure 4 between the position of figure 4 and that of figures 2 and 3, figure 6 is a side view in fraction to a larger scale of a detail of a pivot device for guiding the movement of the upper section, figure 7 shows a latch for securing the upper section to the rest of the container in a first phase of securing, figure 8 shows the insurance of figure 7 in a second phase of insurance, figure 9 shows the insurance of figure 7 in the final securing phase.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The collapsible container of Figures 1 and 3 comprises four side walls 1, 2, 3, 4, mounted in a pivoting manner on a base frame 5 and, in addition, an upper wall 6 for closing the container in the upper wall. The base frame 5 is formed as a platform having branches 7 that allow the insertion of the fork arms of a forklift (not shown), under the base frame, so that the forklift can lift the container. The collapsible container is of the type that can It plunks in an empty state, so that the lateral sections and the upper section will be stacked on top of the base frame, usually with the uppermost part of the upper section. In this depressed state, the container occupies relatively little space, with which a considerable reduction in the transport costs of the empty container is obtained. In the case shown, the side walls 1, 2 and 3 are each constructed around a frame 8 of rectangular bars with reinforcing bars 9 located obliquely and panels shaped like plate 10. Observed from the vertical position of the figures 1 to 5, the rectangular bar frame of the side walls consists of an upper bar 11, a lower bar 12 and two side bars 13. The side wall 4 is constructed in a slightly different form from the rest of the side walls 1, 2 and 3, in this case, the side wall has a door 14 hinged laterally on the vertical branch 17 of the L-shaped bar with hinges 15. The second branch 18 of this bar is in turn pivotally connected to the frame of base 5. The door is exactly like the side walls 1, 2 and 3, built around a frame 19 of rectangular bars with reinforcing bars 20 arranged obliquely and panels 21 in the form of a plate. The frame 19 of rectangular bars of the door consists of an upper bar 22, a lower bar 23 and two side bars 24. This door arrangement is described in detail in the applicant's Danish patent application: "Collapsible container for transporting a liquid "which was filed at the same time as this application and which is incorporated by reference in the present Danish patent application. The collapsible container can additionally be of any type known per se and, therefore, will not be described here further. The upper wall 6 of Figure 1 is constructed around a bar frame 25 with two side angular bars 26, a front end bar 27, a rear end bar 28 and two center bars 29 with a handle 30. The two side angle bars 26 each have a vertical flange 31 and a horizontal flange 32, seen from the raised portion of the container. As can be seen, the top wall 6 consists of an undivided wall in the form of a plate, connected to the side wall 1 in a manner which is described in detail below, with reference to figure 6. In the middle of each side bar 13 from the wall On the side 1 and pivotably around a pivot or hinge pin 33, a guide bar 34 is placed, which at the opposite end has a journal axis 35 hingedly pivoted in a U-shaped bearing, clamp oblong 36 placed on the underside of the upper wall and having a length greater than the transverse size of the axle bearing. The uppermost part of each of the side bars 13 of the side wall 1 and pivotally about a pivot or hinge pin 37 is additionally provided with an angular pivot guide 38, of which the upper flange 39 overlaps with the horizontal flange 32 of the lateral angular bar 26 of the upper wall. In Figure 4, the upper wall 6 is hung from the guide bars 34 along the exterior of the side wall 1, the top wall will remain in position at the top by grasping the pivot guide around the horizontal flange 32 on the side angular bar 26 of the top wall. In figure 5, the operator (not shown) has lifted, with the grip of the handle 30, the upper wall 6, which during this is guided in its movement by the guide rods 34 and the angular pivot guides 38. The end The lower wall of the upper wall describes a circular arc, while the rest of the upper wall is rotating upwards in the direction of the arrow while being pushed further and, furthermore, through the pivot guides 38, during this , the horizontal flanges 32 of the side angular bars 26 act as slides that move in a sliding manner in the pivot guides. In figure 3, the upper wall 6 is now guided all the way to its final position, where it closes the container in the upper part. When the container is lowered again, the same operation is carried out only in reverse order, the operator, during this, starts pulling the upper wall 6 again in a mainly horizontal, almost translational movement. As mentioned above, the engagement of the guide rod 34 with the rear end of the upper wall by means of the clamp or blonga 36 will cause this end to describe a circular movement. As the bearing of axis 35 of the guide rod can move a distance in the oblong clamp, initially the anterior translational movement of the upper wall is allowed, before the coupling between the guide rod and the upper wall effectively begins to operate and then forces the that the rear end of the top wall follows a circular path in a way P1286 guided the rest of the way. In this way, the initial operation of the folding of the upper wall along the corresponding side wall 1 is facilitated. The same advantage is obtained when the upper wall in the terminal phase is pushed into its position in the upper part of the container. The guidance of the upper wall, described above, effectively ensures that the operator can easily and effortlessly handle the upper wall back and forth between its final position on the upper part of the container and its bent position along the top of the container. first side wall. In the final position, the upper section is secured to the side sections by means of hooks on the top of the side sections and on the back of the top wall. In the upper bar 11 of the side wall 2 are connected two angular hooks 40 having an upper flange 41 which extends closely through the forward end bar 27 of the upper wall in the final position of the upper wall in FIG. the upper part of the container. In the rearmost end bar 28 of the upper wall, there are additionally two angular hooks 42 which extend with a flange.

Bottom plate 43 close-up below the upper bar 11 of the side wall 1. On the upper bar 11 of the side wall 3 there is a hook-shaped hook 44 and on the upper bar 22 of the door 14 there is a second hook in the form of a corresponding hook 45. In the horizontal flange 32 in each of the two lateral angular bars 26 of the upper wall two inclined grooves 46 are made to accommodate the hooks 45 in and near the final position of the upper wall . In the combined movement of pivoting and displacement of the upper wall, the forwardmost part of the end bars 27 of the upper wall are pushed under the upper flange 41 at the uppermost part of the angular hooks 40 on the left side wall 2. The hooks 40 at the same time create a stop for the additional displacement of the upper wall. The lower flange 43 on the two angular hooks 42 of the end bar 28 more rearwardly of the top wall are additionally fastened under the upper bar 11 of the right side wall 1. As with the hooks 42, the hooks 43 they create a stop for the additional displacement of the upper wall. The hooks 44 and 45 on the side wall 3 further back and on the door 14, respectively, ensure P1~86 additionally the upper wall 6 to the side walls 3 and 4, which at the same time are pulled strongly due to the inclined position of the grooves 46. As can be seen, the upper wall 6 is now secured to the side walls 1, 2 , 3 and 4, in vertical direction. The upper wall is additionally secured to the side walls 3 and 4 in the horizontal direction and to the side walls 1 and 2 in the horizontal direction, in which the upper wall is guided towards its final position. A latch 47 and the securing accessories 48 interacting with this latch of the side wall 2 serve to secure the upper wall to the side walls 2 and 3 against displacement in the opposite direction. The securing accessories 48 consist more precisely of an angle 49 placed on the upper bar 11 of the side wall 2 and with an upper fin 50, which extends through the front end bar 27 of this upper wall in its final position. A spigot 51 is placed on the upper side of this fin. The securing arrangement can be seen in detail in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. The latch 47 is integrated in a U-shaped housing 52 connected to the upper part of the housing. upper wall. With the purpose of Pl 86 better illustrate the securing mechanism, the upper wall of the housing was removed from the drawing. A special design bolt 53 is installed in the housing, which can be moved back and forth in the housing by means of the operation of a handle 54 connected to the latch pin 53 pivotably about an articulation bolt 55 and housing 52 pivotably about a second articulation bolt. 56. At the end of the bolt 53 opposite the hinge pin 55 is engaged 57 and at a distance from it a stop 58. On the opposite side, the bolt has an inclined slide face 59, while in the housing a corresponding inclined sliding face 60 is made which passes to a straight sliding face 61. Furthermore, in the housing a pin 62 is pivotally mounted, which by means of a tension spring 63 presses an insurance bolt 64 towards down towards the bolt lock 53. In figure 7, the bolt lock 53 is pushed under the pin 51, while the upper wall was guided in its position in the part s uperior of the container. During this operation, the bolt lock was held down by means of the securing bolt 64, so that Pl286 the latch 57 of the pin bolt was able to pass under the securing bolt. When the handle 54 is pulled in the direction of the arrow, the inclined sliding face 59 of the latch bolt slides along the inclined sliding face 60 of the housing, as shown in FIG. 8. In this manner, the latching The bolt latch is raised, so that when the handle is pulled further in the direction of the arrow, it engages with the pin 51 and thus pulls the side walls 1 and 2. When the stop 58 passes to the securing bolt 64, this bolt it snaps behind stop 58 and is secured to the safety. The upper wall is now secured to the side wall 1, 2, 3 and 4 in all horizontal directions and, as mentioned above, also in the vertical direction. When the container will be lowered again, the pin 62 is pressed downwards, thereby interrupting the insurance securing. The upper wall can then be pulled in free form as described above and the container can be folded down.

Pl286

Claims (9)

1. CLAIMS; A collapsible container for transporting a load and comprising at least one principally rectangular base section, four lateral sections pivotally connected with each of its respective side of the four sides of the base section, an upper section, which is connected pivotably to a first lateral section, whereby the sections are adapted to pivot with respect to each other, between a first position in which in rows they are extending mainly in parallel through the others and a second position in which together they are defining a chamber for the containment of the load, the upper section is constructed as an undivided upper wall, which in the second position of the sections, extends between the upper edges of the lateral sections and that this wall upper is adapted to describe a combined movement of pivoting and shifting when guided between u second position and a third position in which the upper wall extends mainly parallel to the first lateral section in the second position of this lateral section, the upper wall is connected to the first lateral section by means of at least one rod guide pivotally connected at one end of the first Pl286 side section and at the other end to an area on the side of the top wall that joins the top side of the first side section when the top wall and the first side section are in their second position.
2. 2. Folding container according to the claim 1, characterized in that at least one slide is constructed in the upper wall, the slide extends in the same direction as the upper wall is moving when it is guided between its second and third positions and because a pivot guide is pivotally mounted in the uppermost portion of the first lateral section to accommodate the slide in a displaceable manner. A collapsible container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a guide rod is pivotably arranged mainly in the middle part of each of the vertical sides of the first lateral section in the second position and because an angular pivot guide is positioned in a pivoting manner in the uppermost part of each of these sides to each lodge in a displaceable manner a slide constructed in the upper wall. A collapsible container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that on each of the sides of the upper wall that extends transversely to the direction in which the upper wall moves when guided between its second and second positions. P1286 third, a slide is formed in the form of a projecting flange and because the corresponding pivot guide in cross section is shaped as an angle, of which one branch extends through the flange, while the other branch is connected pivotably to the vertical side bar of the first side wall in the second position. Folding container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the pivoting coupling of at least one guide rod with the upper wall occurs by means of an angle bearing built into the guide rod and hinged pivotably in a bearing in the form of a U-shaped clamp, placed on the lower side of the upper wall and having a length greater than the transverse size of the shaft bearing. 6. Hinged container according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one latch is placed in the upper wall, the latch engages with the uppermost area of the first section in the second position of the upper wall and fixed to the upper wall with respect thereto and because at least one second latch is placed in the uppermost part of at least one of the other side sections, the latch engages with the upper section and fixed thereto in relation to the Pl286 ft 21 respective lateral section. Folding container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one latch on at least one of the two lateral sections is 5 extends transversely to the direction in which the upper wall is moving when it is guided between its second and third positions, it is formed as a hook which in the second position extends through a slot made in the projection flange of the wall 10 superior. A collapsible container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the groove extends obliquely outward relative to the direction in which the upper wall moves when it is 15 guided from the third position to the second. 9. Hinged container according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the latch is placed on the upper wall and the securing accessories are placed on the uppermost part in 20 the opposite side of the first side section and in that the lock and the securing accessories are adapted to be coupled together in the second position, in such a way that the securing accessories are attracted to the lock when it is activated. Pl286