PT1284222E - Stackable container with locking means - Google Patents

Abstract

The stackable crate has side walls (1) which project beyond the body. Lugs on the base of each side wall fit into recesses in the top of the side wall of the crate below. The crates can be locked together by swiveling catches (4) at the top of the side walls.

Description

DESCRIPTION " EMPTYABLE CONTAINER WITH LOCK ELEMENT " The present invention relates to a container for placing objects, such as tools, small parts or the like. There is often a need to stack such containers, for example for transportation purposes, and to bond them to each other in the stacked state. A stack packaging container is already known, which is also suitable for tool placement. This packaging container contains four side walls, a bottom, a cover and an interior space adjusted to the shape of the tools. The side walls and the bottom are composed of a non-deformable material, and the outer surfaces of the side walls are provided with locking devices for the attachment of connecting elements to respectively attach to a second packaging container which is above. The side walls, the front walls and the bottom are composed of a single piece component.

In addition, a modular storage system of at least two containers stackable one above the other (US-4760921) is known. Each container is made of plastic material as a single piece and has a bottom, two longitudinal walls and a side wall. In the area of the upper edges of the walls tabs are formed, with which it is possible to establish a connection to the container arranged respectively above. 1

Also known is a carton which has two longitudinal walls and two side walls. The boxes are open upwards. Between the side walls are disposed several slats forming a bottom. The longitudinal walls and the bottom are not connected together. The cartons may be stacked one above the other and may be secured to each other with the aid of retaining brakes (US-2155668).

In addition, a container is known which is composed of two side walls of plastic material and a coating composed of a single piece cardboard. The sidewalls have at their upper sides projections, which can engage corresponding notches in the lower side of the side walls of the uppermost next container (US 4211358).

In a similar container of this type (EP 924137), on the upper side of the side walls are also projections which can engage corresponding notches in the lower side of the same side walls, so as to stack two containers one on the other. The object of the invention is to provide a container which can be stacked with a simple structure, which has high strength and is still usable, if necessary, also in the stacked state, thus allowing access to its contents.

In order to achieve this object, the invention proposes a container having the features mentioned in claim 21. The improvements of the invention are object of the dependent claims. The container proposed by the invention therefore contains two side walls, wherein the stack is effective between containers disposed one on top of the other between the side walls. A load is then collected through the vertically extending side walls, which in this sense are very stable. The container body, which is disposed between the side walls, does not therefore need to collect any load caused by the stacking. In this way, it is possible to design the stacking vessel in a very stable manner, without having a stability in all the parts, which would only be necessary for stacking, but not for the other purposes of the container.

According to the invention, in the improvement it may be provided that the stacker device has complementary formations on the upper or lower side of the sidewalls. No additional devices are needed, which would have to be produced as separate components.

In particular, provision may be made for foot-shaped protrusions on the underside of the side walls and recesses on the upper side of the side walls. In this case, not only is a stacking possibility achieved, which causes an alignment to the correct state, but also a secure support in the subsoil for respectively the other container. The foot-shaped protrusions may also be convenient, when the container in an isolated case is not stacked, or to the lower container. 3

According to the invention, in the improvement of the invention it may be provided that the stacking device and / or side walls are so designed that the bodies of stacked containers are spaced apart from each other. Between the individual containers there is therefore a vertical distance, with the possible exception of the side walls. It is also provided that in the case of production tolerances there is no loading of the container parts joining the side walls. The invention provides that the connecting device is effective between the side walls. The connecting device also collects certain forces. The displacement of this connecting device in the side walls supports the possibility of designing the body only with respect to its effective function, namely the placement of objects.

In another improvement of the invention it may be provided that the attachment device has a single attachment member for two side walls disposed one on top of the other.

In the improvement of the invention it may be provided that the connecting member with formations of at least one side wall can be locked. In this formation, these may be protrusions which can be produced simply by producing the side wall. Thus, no further production steps are required in production. It is conceivable to develop the connecting device in such a way that it is available as a separate element which is applied after stacking two containers. The invention proposes that the connecting element be mounted on a side wall of the container, particularly in a rotatable manner. This is a possibility of releasably attaching the connecting element to the corresponding side wall. In order that the connecting element does not interfere, when a container is not stacked, it is provided according to the invention that it is possible to place the connecting element in a rest position on a corresponding side wall.

Further, the invention provides for the container to have handles placed on the sidewalls. In this case, these are handles that can be moved. In this way, it is possible to provide the handles of a rest position, in which they are only slightly or not at all protruding above the side walls, and from which they can be moved to the position, in which it is possible to support the container. In this case, the invention provides that the handles are in their resting position, at least partially in the recesses on the outer side of the side walls. This way, they are only slightly above and therefore do not interfere very much. The recesses may be so designed that a user can grasp them by the hand next to the handle to move the handle outwardly, particularly to rotate outwardly.

In order to facilitate the production and to adapt to the desired characteristics, it is provided according to the invention that the body is designed as a separate component, which is then joined to the side walls. In this way, it is possible to produce, for example, the side walls and the body of a completely different material. It is also possible to produce the body of the same material from the side walls, and then to join it.

One possibility of production is to produce the aluminum body precisely from a relatively thin aluminum sheet. This can then be compressed or bolted to the sidewalls in the respective ridge area.

To reinforce the body made up of sheet metal, it can have additional side pieces, hence sheet metal parts that develop parallel to the side walls composed of plastic material. These can be produced from thin sheet metal, the edges of which are folded vertically. These folded edges can then be joined to the remainder of the body, to which they develop in parallel. In this way a circumferential double-walled collar, which can be used to compress the body with the side walls composed of plastic material, results. The collar may contain cutouts, which are folded outwardly as flaps. These form barbels, which when embedded in corresponding grooves of the side walls fit into existing apertures therein. In order to achieve a pre-tension, an elastic material may exist at the bottom of the groove. For example, a rubber thread, which is so dimensioned, can be inserted into the groove to cause a corresponding pre-tensioning. It then presses the barbs into the holes provided. The body composed of sheet and reinforced through additional side pieces has the result of being able to be configured very stable and without torsion. This also applies in the case of relatively thin plates, particularly when the side walls 6 are joined to the outer side walls composed of plastic material. The coupling can also of course be made in a manner different from that described above, for example so that the edges of the body are folded inwardly and thus form a flange. Through this flange it is possible to make a threaded connection with the side walls composed of plastic material. This distribution of the various functions of a container, i.e. in the tight body for twisting and the side walls composed of plastic material, has great advantages. All the functions that are involved in stacking, transporting, grasping etc., can be transferred to the side pieces composed of plastic material. There can be placed knobs, wheels for transport, adjustment and devices for stacking containers over one another etc.

However, it is likewise possible and is proposed by the invention to conceive the body at least partially of a single piece with one or two side walls. This also has production advantages.

One possibility of how the container may be assembled is that the body has a bottom, a front wall, a back wall and a lid that can be opened. For example, the bottom, the back wall and the front wall may be produced from a single piece of aluminum sheet, wherein the lid may then close the upper side. The lid can be either a sliding cover or a flap cover.

A further possibility of how the container may be assembled is that the body has a bottom, a back wall and an upper side, while the front side 7 can be opened, for example in the form of a cap. In this case, it is possible to open the container, so use it in its effective function even if it is not arranged in the upper position on a stack. It is also possible for the body to have drawers, which can be moved, for example, into guides. In this case it is also possible to use the container, even if it is not arranged in the upper position in a stack.

Other features, features and advantages of the invention result from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the claims and the summary, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into the contents of the description and by the drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a view of two containers stacked one above the other as viewed from the side;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view of the arrangement of Figure 1 on the right side in Figure 1;

Figure 3 on an enlarged scale a side wall in the front view;

Figure 4 a fragmentary cut approximately along the line IV-IV in figure 3;

Figure 5 likewise a cut through the side wall of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a view of a handle viewed from below; 8

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a connecting member for joining two containers;

Figure 8 is a cross-section through the connecting element of Figure 7; 9 also a cut through the connecting element of Figure 7 in another plane; 10 on an enlarged scale a detailed view of the arrangement of a handle in the operating position; 11 is a fragmented section through the connecting position of two lateral walls disposed one

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure on the other; 12 schematically a stacking device between two containers; Schematically a body composed of plate with its own lateral reinforcements; 14 schematically a cut through the circumferential rim of the body; 15 is a view of the circumferential collar; 16 on an enlarged scale a view of a corner of the side wall composed of plastic material 9 seen from the inner side of the storage box; the front view of a part of a connecting element between two containers arranged on top of one another; a view of the connecting member of Figure 17, viewed from above; a side view of the connecting element; a side view of a hook interacting with the connecting element; in perspective the view of the hook attachment element inserted; the view of the connecting element in the locked state; a representation corresponding to Figure 13 of a front area of a container body; a detailed view of an angular connection of the container of the embodiment according to Figure 23; a simplified representation corresponding to Figure 16 of an angular area of a side wall; 10

Figure 26 is a detailed view of a modified embodiment with respect to Figure 1;

Figure 27 likewise a detailed view of a front wall of a container in the embodiment according to figure 26;

Figure 28 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through a side wall in a modified embodiment;

29 is a side view of a fastening device for a table top;

Figure 30 is a top view on the securing device of Figure 29;

Figure 31 is a schematic cross-section through a flap cap.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate, in simplified form, two containers disposed one on top of the other, according to the invention. In figure 1, it is possible to visualize in a front view the two lateral walls 1 of the two containers. The two side walls are configured substantially flat, see Figure 2, and have a rectangular periphery with rounded corners. On the lower side 10 of the side walls 1 are formed foot-shaped protrusions 2 which can engage the corresponding recesses in the upper side 5 of the side wall 1. Later this is further explained in more detail. 11

The side walls have a handle 3, which is arranged in a recess. The recess is so shaped that a user still has sufficient space on the underside of the handle 3 to grasp the handle 3 and to move it from the upwardly shown position. This is also explained below.

In the respective side wall there is arranged a connecting element 4 for joining the two side walls 1 with one another, which joins the two side walls with each other, as long as they are stacked one over the other. In the upper side wall, the connecting element 4 has been transferred to a rest position, in which it does not protrude above the upper edge 5 of the upper side wall 1. The connecting element 4 is therefore fixed to the side wall in an irremovable manner and can be placed, if necessary, in a position in which it can ensure the connection.

As is particularly possible to conclude from figure 2, in the side walls there is respectively a body 6, which has approximately a block shape. The lower side 7 of the body 6 has a clear distance from the upper side 8 of the respective body 6. The body 6 may be closed at the top, for example, with the aid of a lid 9. Other types of container construction are also possible, for example with drawers, which can be moved outwardly from the front or back.

Referring now to Figure 3, which shows a representation of a side wall of a container similar to that of Figure 1. The handle is removed in this representation. The notch 11 already mentioned in figure 1, contains a part which extends horizontally, which is intended to receive the handle 3 itself. In the final area of the handle area, the notch is drawn up and forms two compartments 12, which serve as support for the handle 3. In this position, four projections 13 are formed in the notch 11, the height of which is measured vertically with respect to the surface of the side wall 1 is slightly less than the depth of the notch 11 measured in the same direction.

In the center, the notch 11 passes through the upper corner 5 of the side wall 1, so that the notch 11 does not have a collar in this position. Also in this position are four projections 14, which are similar to the projections 13, but which have another function. The protrusions 14 in the center of the upper corner 5 correspond to protrusions 15 in the center of the lower corner 10 of the side wall 1. Also in this position, the notch 11 has no collar, but passes directly to the lower corner 10 of the side wall 1.

From Figure 3 it can be seen that the corners of the side wall 1 are slightly arched inwardly. This was not taken into account in the representation of Figure 1. Figure 4 now illustrates a cross-section through the side wall 1 approximately along the line IV-IV in figure 1. This line is slightly offset so that the cut in the left half of the figure 3 is made through protrusions 13, while passing from the right side in figure 1 above the protrusions 13.

The protrusions 15 on the underside of the side wall and the protrusions 14 on the upper side of the side wall 1, which can also be seen in the section of Figure 4, are intended to secure the connecting element 4 only to the side wall 1 or the wall 1 and side wall 1 above. The projections 13 are intended to support the handle 3 in its outwardly facing position. From the cut-out of Figure 4, it is also possible to conclude that, apart from the corner areas, the side wall 1 presents the same wall thickness everywhere, so that the recesses are offset on the front side through corresponding recesses in the side 4a above. Also from the cut-out of figure 4 it can be concluded that on the back side of the side walls there is a narrow recess 16 in the area of the collar, which can be used to collect the bottom and side walls of a thin aluminum sheet, which is then compressed with the side walls.

In the right part 12 of the groove, where the cut of figure 4 is made above the protrusions 13, respectively, a support aperture 17 is formed in the beads formed by the notch, in which the two support apertures 17 align. The two support openings 17 are used to collect a shaft, which forms the rotary axis for the handle 3. In the opposite position 12 of the notch there is also of course formed such a support opening, which however is not in the cutting plane of the figure 4 and therefore can not be viewed.

Approximately in the center of Figure 4, in the part of the notch 11, which reaches the upper corner 5 of the side wall 1, it is possible to visualize a support aperture 18 in the right collar. This is intended, as is mentioned later, 14 for the attachment of the connecting element 4. The support aperture 18, however, does not represent an orbicular recess, but rather a groove that extends along a portion of the length of the notch. Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view along line V-V in Figure 3. In the two end areas hooks 19 can be seen, which are intended for the aforementioned fixing of the aluminum foil bottom. Figure 6 now shows the aforementioned handle 3 on its underside, i.e., on the back side of the plane of the drawing in Figure 3. The handle 3 contains an extended crosspiece 20, which has a cylindrical cross-section. This can be divided optically through grooves 21. In the end area of the crosspiece 20 there is respectively formed a flap 22, wherein the two flaps 22 lie in a plane. The flaps form the connection between the side wall and the crosspiece 20. In the lower side shown in Figure 6, the flaps 22 contain, with a certain distance from their free end 23, four protruding recesses 24, which have an approximately rectangular cross-section. The width of the recesses 24 approximately corresponds to the width of the protrusions 13. The same applies to the arrangement of the recesses 24.

In figure 6 it is not visible that in the free end area 23 of the two flaps 22 in each case there is a through hole for insertion of a shaft forming a rotary axis. This protruding shaft on both sides of the side edges 25 of the flaps 22 engages the support apertures 17, which were described in Figure 4.

Referring now to Figure 7. Figure 7 shows in a perspective representation a connecting element 4, which was also already mentioned in figure 1. The connecting element 4 is in the form of a flat, block-shaped tank. The inner side, which in Figure 7 is on the right-hand side, is divided into four compartments through three partition walls. The three partition walls 26 result from Figures 8 and 9 which represent cross-sections through the arrangement of Figure 7. In this case, the cut of Figure 8 is positioned through the height of the orbicular apertures 27 which can be seen in Figure 7. This aperture 27 proceeds as aperture 28 also in the separating walls 26. The aligned apertures 27, 28 form the support for a shaft, which engage in their end areas in the support apertures 18, see Figure 4. Thus, the attachment member 4 is somewhat movably attached to the side wall 1.

The side walls 29 of the connecting element 4, which also have support apertures 27, contain retaining projections 30 which are used to engage the connecting element 4 both in the rest position, above in figure 1, and also in the position in the center in Figure 1, with the side walls of the recess. These retaining projections 30 also result from the cut-out of Figure 9. Figure 10 shows on an enlarged scale a cut through the handle holder 3 in the outwardly facing position. The handle 3 is mounted with the shaft 31 already mentioned in the support apertures 17. If it is still facing upwards, the upper side of the two flaps 22 is situated adjacent a surface 32, which delimits the notch 11 in this position. The surface 32 extends perpendicularly to the front side 16 of the side walls 1. Simultaneously, the underside of the flaps 22 is in their end areas 23 adjacent to the upper side of the four flanges 13, which are shown in Figure 3 in the front view. The shaft support 31 is therefore heavily relieved of loading by the beams resting both on top and also at the bottom on portions of the side wall. If the handle 3 is now turned downward, the protrusions 13 lie close to the recesses 24 on the underside of the flaps, so as not to prevent the downward movement of the handle 3. From Figure 10 it is still possible to conclude that the cross-section of the The crosspiece 20 of the handle 3 is designed in an elliptical or oval shape. The distance of the cross member 20 from the front side of the side wall 1 is selected in such a large way that a user can pass with his hand. Figure 11 shows the mutual assignment of the connecting element 4 and the parts connected to each other of the two side walls 1 arranged one on top of the other. In the wall delimiting the notch is conceived the mentioned support opening 18, which is in the form of an extended groove, the longitudinal direction of which runs parallel to the front side. In this groove engages the shaft inserted through the apertures 27 and 28. In this way, it is possible to rotate and move the connecting element 4. In figure 11, the connecting element is schematically shown in the connection position. In this position, the partition walls 26 engage between the protrusions 14 on the upper side of the lower side wall and the protrusions on the underside of the upper side wall. This gives rise to a bonding in a vertical direction relative to the surface of the side walls. For clamping in this position, the retaining projections 30 are used, which can engage in corresponding recesses. In the resting position shown at the top in Figure 1, the retaining projection 30 engages a recess 34 above the support aperture 18. As shown in FIG. Figure 12 shows the mutual assignment between a foot-shaped projection 2 on the lower side 10 of the upper side wall and a recess 35 on the upper side 5 of the lower side wall. While the lower side 10 and the upper side 5 because of their arcuate configuration diverges here from the horizontal, the lower side of the protrusion 2 and the inner side of the recess 35 are arranged horizontally. The protrusions 2 may also be used to land a container on a flat base. Figure 13 shows in a highly simplified way a structured body, for example of aluminum sheet, which interacts with the side walls described hitherto to form a container. The body is composed of three pieces of sheet, i.e. a sheet metal part which forms the front wall 41, the bottom 42 and the side wall 43, which is folded in a block. At the ends are then inserted side pieces 44, the edges of which are folded perpendicularly, so that the edges of the side pieces 44 are parallel to the surfaces of the remaining walls. These edges are then compressed with one another. In other materials, of course, other methods of attachment are also possible.

At the beads were then inserted anteriorly or laterally cutouts, which are approximately U-shaped, see figure 15. Thereby, there results flaps 45, which can be folded out of the plane of the sheet. This can best be seen in figure 14. Figure 14 shows a partial section through the collar of the body. The folded collar 46 of the side piece 44 is attached to the free collar, for example, the bottom. The bottom flaps are pressed outwardly to the left side, and the flaps 45 of the collar of the side piece 44 inwardly. The orientation is such that here are barbs. Figure 16 shows on an enlarged scale a corner of a side wall, which has been described with reference to the previous figures. Along the inner side there is a groove 77, which in principle is rectilinearly mounted, but contains recesses 48 at certain distances. The side walls of the groove 47 have at certain points rectangular apertures 49 which cross the inside and out there. The arrangement of the apertures 49 corresponds to the arrangements of the cut tabs 45.

To assemble, at the bottom of the groove 47 is placed an elastic material, for example a rubber thread approximately in the form of an O-ring. Thereafter, the body with its flange area is inserted into the groove 47 until the flaps engage the apertures 49. To do this, it is necessary to slightly compress the rubber cord. Thereafter, it generates pre-tension, which leads to engagement of the flaps 45 in the apertures 49.

The side pieces 44 shown in Figure 13 are used to stabilize the body, but in compensation less collect loads, which is effected by the sidewalls. It is possible to carry a assembled container with a forklift truck, since the feet 2 in the side walls 19 allow the forklift truck to be inserted underneath.

Figures 17-22 illustrate a two piece connecting element which, instead of the connecting element 4 of Figure 7, can be used to join and fix two containers arranged on top of one another. The connecting member contains a first lever 51, which is shown in Figures 17-19. The lever has a frame 52, between which there is a recess, which is formed by a plate 53. The plate 53 has an oblong hole 54 , which is encircled by a reinforcement 55. On the two side edges of the lever element 51 are spring fingers 56, which similarly to the retaining projections 30 of the embodiment according to Figure 7 are used to fix the the notch in the side walls of the container.

The two side pieces 52 contain orbicular apertures 57 for positioning a shaft forming an axis.

In the recess, which is delimited by the plate 53, a hook element 58 is inserted, which is shown in Figure 20. The hook element 58 also has support apertures 59, with which it is placed below the axis formed by the apertures 57 In this way, a hinged lever is formed. If a container is not coupled to a container above, the hook element 58 is in the recess 60, which is delimited by the plate 53 and the two side pieces 52. For the lever element to remain fixed therein, in the area of its side walls also has spring tongues 61, see figure 21.

On the front side of the hook element 58 is a recess 62, see figure 20, which may be used as a locking aperture. To lock two containers that are arranged one above the other, the hook member is withdrawn from the lever member 51 and moved upwardly, and the lever member also withdrawn from the recess. This state is shown in perspective in Figure 21. Thereafter, the hook-shaped recess 62 is inserted in the respective side wall of a container configuration disposed above and the lever in the form of a hinged lever is moved back down again, so that the position shown in figure 22 is taken. Here it is also possible to visualize that an arc-shaped projection 63 of the side wall of the container extends through the oblong hole 54 in the plate 53. Behind this arch 63 it is possible to place a so that it is possible to protect the hinged lever in its locking position with the container disposed above through the padlock. Figure 23 shows in a fragmented representation the front end of a body. The body walls are folded perpendicularly inwardly to form a flange flange 70. The flange flange 70 is provided with individual holes 71. Behind the flange flange 70 is possible to insert a flat sheet plate which may have apertures corresponding to the apertures 71. Through the matching apertures 71 it is then possible to screw a screw 72, precisely on the side wall forming element and which is composed by plastic material as indicated in Figure 24. Figure 24 shows a corner of the body with the flange flange 70 of the plate 73 disposed within the body prior to the flange flange 70 and the side wall 74. Figure 25 shows side wall 74 viewed from the side, which faces the body. Here there are formations 75 in the form of columns in the collar area, in which screws can be screwed.

Further, Figure 25 illustrates that continuous apertures 76 are formed in the feet 2 of the sidewalls. In these continuous openings it is possible to screw on the outer side of the side wall a plate provided with a wheel, so that there is then on the outer side wall a wheel. The container can then be raised on the opposite side wall in the handle therein arranged, so that the wheel now comes into contact with the bottom. The container can be drawn in a manner similar to a suitcase provided with wheels. When landing the container, the wheels do not engage again with the bottom. Also maintained is the function of a forklift being able to walk under the container. The body is encased in the side piece 74, as can be seen from figure 24, so that the load is not only driven by the attachment bolt 72, but also through the bearing surfaces, which therefore result in the wall 24 side. The corresponding level can also be seen in figure 25.

Instead of a threaded joint, the body can also be embedded, if necessary also in combination with a threaded joint. The body can also be ultrasonically welded to the side wall. Figure 26 shows a detailed view of the upper central area of a side wall 74. In the place where the connecting element 4 is arranged in the form of the preceding embodiment, for which locking there are projections 14, 15, there is provided a smooth recess, in which mutually parallel side walls 80 are designed two blind apertures 81. These are intended to receive a shaft passing through the apertures 57, thereby to oscillately mount the connecting element of Figures 17-22.

At the corresponding lower end of the side wall 74 of the following upper container is a hook-shaped projection 82, see Figure 27. On both sides of this hook 82 is a recess 83. The cross-sectional shape of the hook 82 results from figure 28 in its lower area. Behind this rearward cut engages the aperture 62 of the lever member, which interacts with the locking member of Figure 17-22. This aperture can be seen in Figure 20. The locking member of Figures 17-22 forms a hinged lever. The shaft mounting the rotatable lever 58 is mounted on the other member in an aperture which is provided with a rubber stopper, see Figure 19. The support aperture 81, Figure 26, may also be seen in the upper part of Figure 28.

Figures 29 and 30 illustrate a possibility of how it is possible to apply a plate 84 to a container. In this way, it is possible to form a modular workbench. On the underside of the plate 84 is screwed a metal profile 85, which has a flat flap, which can be bolted on the underside of the plate 84. The metal profile contains a hook 87, which in its corresponding shape to the flange 82. Behind this hook 87 is engageable the lever 58 hinged with its aperture 62. The second L-shaped flap 88 is used to abut the upper comer of a side wall so that the plate 84 is depressed against the upper side of the side wall when closing the connecting element. The flap 88, see figure 30, is offset laterally with respect to the flap 87 disposed in the center. The distance of two flaps 88 from each other corresponds approximately to the distance of two feet on the underside of a container. Figure 30 shows a longitudinal section through a flap cap, which serves as a possibility for the use of the container. The flap cover 90 is composed of a metal part, which along its edges is folded downwards and inwards.

In the planar interior space thus formed, a second inner cover 91 is rotatably mounted, which with the open flap cover 90 can be opened inwardly, thereby moving away from the flap cover 90. In the interior space formed in this way can be placed flat pieces, papers or the like. The container described herein may in any case be affixed to other containers, but also with the plate 84, as just mentioned. It is possible to arrange several containers one on top of and adjacent to each other, where a connection can be made, if necessary, through a table top 84. In this way, it is possible to combine the containers in workshop trolleys or work benches. The cartons may be placed in a lower frame provided with wheels in the form of a frame. The container may be mounted, for example, as mentioned in the appended claims, as a combination of a metal body of side walls composed of plastic material. The body may not only have a flap or sliding lid, but also a hinged front wall or also one or several drawers. Combination of flap cover and drawers are also possible.

If a container has a lid or a hinged front wall, it is possible to lock them with the aid of closures in the closed, additional or alternatively to a closing device with the aid of a lock.

Lisbon, 10 January 2007 25

Claims (18)

A stackable container with two side walls (2), a body (6) joining the side walls (1), a stacker device for stacking two containers one on top of the other, which is effective between the side walls (1) as well as with a connecting device for joining two containers stacked with one another, characterized in that the body (6) is designed as a separate component and connected to the side walls (1), respectively, having a recess (11) open in relation to the upper edge (5) and to the lower edge (10) of the side wall (1), in which there is respectively arranged a handle (3) movable from a rest position in which the latter is only slightly protruding above the side wall (I) to an operating position, and a connecting element (4) of the connecting device in its rest position is arranged in the recess (11) of the side wall (1) and in its position of connection to (II) of the side wall (1) of an upper vessel. Container according to claim 1, wherein the stacker device has complementary formations on the upper side (5) or lower side (10) of the side pieces (1). Container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein foot-shaped protrusions (2) are designed on the lower side (10) of the side walls (1) and recesses (35) on the upper side (5) of the walls (1). A container according to claim 1 to 3, wherein the stacker device and / or the side walls (1) are designed in such a way that the stacked container bodies (6) are spaced apart from each other. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing device is effective between the side walls (1). Container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting device has a single connecting element (4) for two side walls (1) arranged on top of one another. A container according to claim 6, wherein the connecting element can be locked with formations of at least one side wall (1). Container according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the connecting element (4) is pivotally mounted on a side wall (1). Device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the connecting element (4) is releasably attached to the corresponding side wall (1). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (6) is composed of a material different from the side walls (1). 2 A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (6) has a bottom, a front wall, a back wall and a lid to be opened. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (6) has a bottom, a back wall, an upper side and a front wall to be opened. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the body (1) has drawers. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a metal body comprises side pieces, which extend parallel to the side walls (1). A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body is recessed into grooves on the inner side of the side walls (1) with a circumferential rim which extends vertically to the plane of the side walls (1). A container as claimed in claim 15, wherein the collar has barb-shaped cutouts which engage apertures (49) in the side walls of a groove (47) of the side walls (1). The container of claim 16, wherein an elastic member is inserted to generate a pre-tension at the bottom of the groove (47). 3 The container of claim 16 or 17, wherein a U-shaped lip is used as an elastic member, which is applied over the edge of the body. Lisbon, January 10, 2007 4