201221428 六、發明說明： 【發明所屬之技術領域3 發明領域 本發明的實施例有關一種用以容裝產品的條板箱或容 器’更具言之，本發明的實施例有關一種塑膠條板箱其係 被知供用以谷納及/或運送食物’例如水果、蔬菜、肉及類 似物等。 t先前技術3 發明背景 用以存放及運送產品譬如水果和蔬菜的條板箱係被廣 泛地使用於市場中。該等條板箱既輕且穩定，而使它們可 適用於將該等收獲產物由田野帶送至顧客處。例如，就熱 帶水果比如香蕉而言，通常係在其尚未成熟時來收割該等 產物，並將其包裝於該等條板箱中以供後續的裝運和輸 送。在此旅程中，該等水果有時間成熟。又，其它的水果 如蘋果或類似物，或蔬菜如萵苣或類似物，以及肉或蛋等 亦可在產製者處被放入該等條板箱中，並使用該等條板箱 來運送。 在運送之前，該等裝滿的條板箱通常係被互相上下堆 疊且彼此併排在二托板上，然後該等托板會一起被傳送至 各別的輸送設備。通常，一特定的交又堆疊技術會被使用， 例如一種“五落構形”。在此五落構形中，五個條板箱會被 彼此相鄰排列成一矩形陣列，而使其中二個沿著長度方向 形成一排，且其它三個沿著寬度方向形成一排。此種排列 201221428 有一問題係當以此方式來堆叠S亥專條板箱時，沿寬度方向 形成一排的三個條板箱會以它們的較短端壁靠抵沿長度方 向形成一排的二個條板箱之較長側壁。故，一作用在沿長 度方向排列之條板箱的側壁上之力會較高，尤其是在沿該 長度方向排列之條板箱的側壁之中央區域處。此可能會在 運送或堆疊時造成該等條板箱的損壞。 上述的條板箱係可為塑膠條板箱，其包含相對的端壁 和相對的側壁由一具有一概呈矩形形狀的底伸出。該等條 板箱亦可由其它材料形成’如木材、紙板或類似物等。該 等條板箱亦被稱為可摺式條板箱，此意指該等端壁和側壁 能被向下摺疊於該底的方向。此容許該等空箱以它們的摺 疊狀態來被運送，例如至田野處，在該處作物會被收獲並 直接放入個別的條板箱内。此可容許使用一最少量的輸送 谷量來運送一大數目的摺疊條板箱，而以一種經濟的方式 來將摺疊的條板箱帶送至所需的地方。亦有不同高度的條 板箱’即某些條板箱會有數壁由該底以一第一距離延伸， 而其它的壁會以一大於該第一距離的第二距離向上延伸。 該等條板箱的高度，當未摺疊時，乃視要被容納其中並運 送的產品而定。具有該等可摺疊壁的條板箱之結構，可為 會使該等側壁當被向下摺疊於該底上時可以重疊◎在此情 況下’為獲得一最小的可能高度，傳統的條板箱需要_指 疊其各別壁部的特定順序。例如，首先，二個端壁部份會 被摺疊於該底上，然後該二側壁之一第一個會被向下摺疊 來貼置於該等下摺的端壁上，然後該等側壁之一第二個又 201221428 會被向下摺疊。該等各別的側壁係被以一方式構製成使該 摺疊的條板箱之一最小高度會被獲得而沒有任何部份會延 伸超過此高度。 但是，此方法是欠佳的，因其需要一條板箱的使用者 知道該條板箱如何被摺疊，即，該各別壁部必須被以正確 的方式來摺疊’否則該最小高度不能被獲得，又且，該等 壁部的元件可能會延伸超出該最小高度，而阻礙該等權合 條板箱的妥當堆疊。對此問題之一種解決方案係在該底的 邊緣供一突出部以一預定距離由該底向上延伸，俾得確 保該二側壁被摺疊方式的獨立性，即使在“最壞的情況 下’’，該等側壁亦沒有任一部份會伸出該突出部的頂端上 方。雖此會解決有關某些部份延伸超過該摺合條板箱之高 度的問題，但其在同時又會增加該摺合條板箱的高度，因 而將會限制能被堆疊及運送之摺合條板箱的整體數目。雖 當只看單一條板箱時，此乃似乎是一很小的問題，但吾人 必須考慮如下的情況：有大量的該等條板箱被摺疊，並放 在各別的托板上被運送，且該突出部具有增加的高度如上 所述，可能造成大約15%之運輸容量的損失。 上述的條板箱是可摺疊的，更包含一鎖定機構，其會 確保該等侧壁和端壁在該條板箱之非摺合狀態時的固定連 結。同時，一容易操作的機構必須被提供，以便在所有的 產品已被移除，且該條板箱要被運回供應者處，例如供清 理，而需要摺合該條板箱時，用以釋開該閂鎖。因此具有 可摺疊壁的條板箱會包含釋開機構，其會作用在閂扣元件 5 201221428 上以供釋開該閃鎖，並因而可容許向下權疊各別的側壁。 例如，該等側壁可包含各別的容座設在其之一側緣處，一 側緣係鄰接於該等端壁。在料端壁中，可移動的閃扣可 被提供，例如，當將各別的壁帶至其直立位置時，有一扣 鈎會被偏壓於一朝下方向並與該側壁中的容座卡扣銜接。 例如，當將一側壁由底部位置移至該直立位置時，該扣鈎 會在該側Μ元件通料升高，然後，由於該向下偏壓， 該扣釣會承納於該容座h制用轉開機構釋放該閃扣 時，該扣鈎會被升高’而使該等閃扣元件會被釋脫，且該 側壁能再度被向下摺疊於該底的方向。 此等機構會提供-種容易操作的方式來供解開該條板 箱的指合’但是’-般而言’該等機構純設成會使其在 該條板箱呈未摺合狀態的任何時間皆能被作動。此乃是不 佳的，因其亦會在當多數個條板箱被堆疊，例如在一托板 上時，可谷許作動該釋開機構。在此情況下，由於一震動 或一錯誤的操作，在該疊堆中之一或多個條板箱的閂扣機 構可能被作動，而釋開對應的壁元件，致使該整體疊堆成 為不穩定的。在最壞的情況下，此可能會造成該疊堆的崩 塌，因在該疊堆内的一或多個條板箱可能無法再提供所需 的穩定性來供支撐推疊在其頂上的條板箱。 如上所述，該等條板箱可被用於運送食物，如蔬菜、 水果和肉或類似物等。這些產品可能需要冷卻，因此最好 能在該條板箱的内部提供一冷卻液，如冰水或類似物，以 確保該等貨物保持新鮮及/或在一適當溫度。雖該等條板 201221428 箱’一般而言’在側壁和底部會有開孔以容許空氣循環， 但該等開孔可能不^以讓充分的冷卻液流人該條板箱内 部’例如，當制冰料，可齡有冰峰在該液流中， 它們將不能通過鱗被設來供空氣流通的㈣，且實際上 可能會擋塞料孔洞，峨礙體铜祕板箱的内部。 t發明内容：j 發明概要 本發明之實施例提供-種改良的條板箱可克服上述之 傳統條板箱的一或多個問題。 依據第-態樣，本發明的實施例提供一種條板箱，包 含-底，二端壁’及二側壁。每一該等側壁包含一第一側 緣鄰近於第-端壁，-第二側緣鄰近於第二端壁，一下緣 鄰近於該底，及一上緣遠離於該底。每一側壁包含一連續 的硬化構件平行於該等側緣且至少部份平行於該上緣延 伸。該連續的硬化構件包含一硬化部份會至少在一介於該 等側緣之間的區域中，由該上緣以朝向該下緣再回至該上 緣的方向延伸。 依據實施例，該硬化部份係為u形，並在一側壁之一中 央區域中朝向該下緣延伸。在本發明的實施例中，該硬化 部份會朝向該下緣延伸，而使一至該下緣的距離係小於或 等於該側壁高度的一半。或者，該硬化構件可延伸至該侧 壁的下緣。 實施例可包含一連續的硬化構件具有多數個硬化部份 朝向該側壁的下緣延伸。在此等實施例中，該多數個硬化 7 201221428 構件可具有相同或不同之至該側壁下緣的距離。 本發明的實施例可能提供一種條板箱，其係由塑膠製 成，而該連續的硬化構件可被以水注射成型法來形成。該 條板箱可為可摺疊的，而使該等端壁和側壁能夠相對於該 底被摺疊。 依據一第二態樣之本發明的實施例提供一種條板箱， 包含一底具有一犬出部排列在相對的長度邊，並由該底向 上延伸至沿該底的寬度邊延伸的相對端壁，及二相對的側 壁沿該底的長度邊延伸。該等端壁和側壁係構製成可相對 於該底摺疊。該等側壁具有一高度，可使該等側壁在被摺 疊時會至少部份地重疊。每一側壁係藉由至少一鉸鏈來耦 接於該底，且各鉸鏈係可滑動地設在該突出部中，而使該 鉸鏈可在該突出部鄰近於該底之一下端與該突出部之一上 端之間移動。 依據實施例，該突出部在該底上方的高度實質上對應 於該二侧壁的厚度。依據實施例，在未摺疊狀態時，該等 側壁的下端會貼置在各別突出部之一上表面上，且該二側 壁的鉸鏈係在一靠近於該底的較下位置；而在摺疊狀態 時，該等側壁的下端係相對於各別突出部的内表面，且該 專側壁的绞鏈疋在該突出部的不同高度處，其中有一側壁 會貼置在被摺疊於該底上的端壁上，而另一側壁會至少部 份地貼置在該一側壁上。 依據實施例，該一貼置在該等端壁上的側壁之鉸鏈會 保持在該較下位置，而該另一側壁的鉸鏈係在該較下位置 201221428 上方之一位置，而容許該等摺合的側壁之排列成為實質上 平行於δ亥底，其中§亥另一側壁之一外表面實質上係在該等 犬出部之上表面的相同水準上。 依據實施例，該等錢鏈可被構製成，在摺疊狀態時會 有—間隙介於該等側壁的下表面與該等突出部的各別内表 面之間。贿鍵可包含-延伸桿連接著該突出部中的较鍵 兀件和該側壁《該延伸桿會界定該間隙，並具有一長度由 該鉸鏈之下部與該突出部的高度之間的距離來界定。每一 側壁可包含多個鉸鏈。 依據-第三態樣之本發明的實施例提供一種條板箱， 包含-底’二端壁，及二側壁。該等端壁和側壁係構製成 可相對於該絲被料。料端壁和㈣包含各自的問扣 元件其在當鱗端壁和_於未摺疊狀態時會互相銜接來 形成-關。1扣釋開機構會被設在各別的端壁或側壁 上，其中在該各難上的閃扣釋開機構及/胡扣元件係構 製成可移躺’而可延伸高㈣各之—上緣上方用以 釋開該閃鎖。 實施例提供-種閃扣釋開機構，其包含一揚升桿具有 二相反端連接於該等壁之一的閃扣元件，並具有一形狀可 使該閃扣釋開機構的至少—部份當在—釋開位置時會延伸 高出該壁的上緣上方。 依據其它實施例，該等銜接的閃扣構件之一者是可移 動的’並有-者疋固定的’其中該可動的Α扣構件係構製 成當在-㈣該固定的邊緣元件之位置時會伸出該壁的上 201221428 緣上方。該可動的閂扣元件，當在該釋開位置時，可被構 製成能與一正移向該底的壁一起被摺疊。 依據本發明之一第四態樣的實施例提供一種條板箱， 包含一底，二端壁，及二側壁。該等端壁和側壁的至少一 者包含一入口具有一尺寸可容許一預定量的冷卻液注入該 條板箱的内部。 依據實施例，至少二相對的壁可包含多數個入口，例 如每一側壁各可包含多數個入口。依據實施例，各側壁皆 包含第一和第二側緣鄰近於各別的端壁，一下緣鄰近於該 底，及一上緣遠離於該底。一第一入口係被設成鄰近於該 側壁之一第一上邊角而鄰近於該第一側緣和上緣，又—第 二入口係被設成鄰近於一側壁之一第二上邊角而鄰近於該 第二側緣和上緣。 其它實施例提供的側壁具有一連續的硬化構件會平行 於該第一和第二側緣且平行於該上緣延伸，並有一 u形部份 在一中央區域朝s玄下緣延伸。一第一入口係設在該側壁的 左方部份離該下緣有一距離處，而該連續的硬化構件有_ 部份會在該第二入口與該第一侧緣、該上緣、和該中央區 域之間。一第二入口係設在該側壁的右方部份離該下緣有 一距離處，而該連續的硬化構件有一部份會在該第二入σ 與該第二側緣、該上緣、和該中央區域之間。 依據實施例’在該側壁的中央區域中，一第三入口可 被設在離該上緣有一距離處，且該連續的硬化構件有—部 份會介於該第三入口與該下緣、該左方部份和右方部份之 10 201221428 間。該第三入口可具有一尺寸係小於該第一和第二入 口的 尺寸。該等入口可被設具一柵格具有一網孔尺寸可容， 液體通過，例如其中含有冰細粒的冰水。 依據該第一至第四態樣之本發明的實施例可提供塑膠 製成的條板箱，其係被提供用以容裝及/或運送食物 > 果、蔬菜、肉及類似物等。 圖式簡單說明 本發明的實施例將被參照所附圖式來描述，其中. 第1圖為一條板箱之一立體圖； 第2圖為第1圖的條板箱之一側視圖； 第3圖為一被呈五落構形來提供的一堆條板箱之一層 的示意圖。 第4圖示出一具有一修正的硬化構件之條板箱的側壁 之一實施例； 第5(a)〜(c)圖示出第4圖之修正的硬化構件之不同構形； 第6圖為在第1圖所示的條板箱之—中央位置所採之一 條板箱的截面圖； 第7圖示出第6圖中所示的條板箱之一正確（第7(幻圖） 與一不正確的（第7(b)圖）摺疊方式； •第8圖為一類似於第6圖的截面圖，而示出依據本發明 實施例之修正的鉸鏈結構； 第9圖示出當第8圆的條板箱被先將側壁i 〇 8 b摺疊（第 9(a)圖）或先將側壁108a摺疊（第9(b)圖）而來摺合時的情況； 第1〇圖示出-傳統閃扣機構之-例，其中第1〇⑷圖示 11 201221428 出該條板箱的一側壁，而第10(b)圖在一放大圖中示出該閂 扣機構之一例； 第11圖示出一傳統閂扣機構的另一例，其中第^丨^)圖 示出一類似於第10(a)圖中的設置，而第11(b)圖示出該依據 本例的閂扣機構之一放大圖； 第12圖示出依據本發明之一實施例的鎖定機構； 第13圖示出第12圖的條板箱而該揚升桿是在未鎖定位置； 第14圖示出二條板箱彼此上下堆疊之—例； 第15圖示出一依據本發明之第四態樣的實施例之條板 箱的側視圖；及 第16圖示出一類似於第15圖中的設置，唯除該側壁具 有一如第4圖中所示的結構。 C實施方式;1 較佳實施例之詳細說明 在以下說明中一條板箱之不同的態樣將會被描述，即 提供一添加的中央硬化元件用以避免一條板箱之側壁損壞 的態樣；提供可摺式側壁之可移動鉸鏈以容許一條板箱的 側壁摺疊的態樣，它們在該摺疊狀態係以一隨意的方式重 叠；提供一閂扣機構/閂扣釋開機構，避免堆疊的條板箱之 閂扣非故意地打開的態樣；及提供一入口用以將冷卻液例 如冰水注入該條板箱内部的態樣等。但是，首先，共用於 所有態樣之該條板箱的元件將會參照第1圖說明於下。 第1圖係為該條板箱100之一立體圖，包含一底102其可 含有多數個開孔104。該條板箱1〇〇更包含一第一端壁i〇6a 12 201221428 和一第二端壁l〇6b係相對於該第一端壁l〇6a。又，二相對 的側壁108a和108b係被設成彼此相對。如可看出，該等側 壁108a和108b係比端壁106a和106b更長。依據本發明的實 施例’該等側壁和端壁可被朝向該底102摺疊，使得例如首 先該等端壁106a和106b能被摺疊於該底上，然後該等側壁 108a和108b可被朝向該底摺疊。該等側壁在高度方向的尺 寸係可為’當將它們朝向該底摺合時，該等側壁可以重疊。 朝向該底摺疊該等側壁和端壁的優點係該條板箱的餘留體 積會最小’而使該條板箱在摺疊狀態時只會佔用—低高 度’因此一大數目的空箱乃可被堆疊，例如在單—托板上 以供運送。依據本發明的實施例，該條板箱是由塑膠製成， 而可提供一較低重量及一高穩定性以供貯存及/或運送用 途。除了該底102中的孔104之外，亦有孔110等被形成於各 別的壁中，而可提供通氣孔。又，較大的孔112a和112b等 係被設在該等端壁106a和106b的上部中，該等孔112a和 112b會界定抓持孔。如可看出，該等端壁之一上緣114&和 114b可具有一增加的厚度，以確保當握住該等抓持孔112a 和112b來帶送該條板箱時會是安全牢固的，並會使在該等 抓持孔上方的端壁部份能提供一足夠的強度。 第一態樣一“中央硬化部份” 以下本發明之依據一第一態樣的實施例將會被描述。 第2圖示出該條板箱1〇〇之一側視圖。在第2(a)圖中該第一側 面108a係被示出由該底102向上延伸。如前所述，在該條板 箱係為一可摺式條板箱的情況下，第2(a)圖示出該侧壁l〇8a 13 201221428 在其直立位置或未摺疊位置。又，多數個通氣孔⑽係被示 出。該側壁108a包含一硬化構件116具有一第一部份平行於 該側壁108a之一第一側緣ι18延伸。該側緣118係例如，鄰 接於第1圖中所示的第一端面106a。該硬化構件U6亦平行 於該側壁108a之一第二側緣120延伸，其中該第二側緣12〇 係鄰接於該第二端壁106b。該硬化構件又平行於該側壁 108a之一上緣122延伸，其中該上緣122係遠離於一下緣 124 ’其則係鄰接於該底丨〇2。如第2(a)圖中所示，該硬化構 件116是一連續的硬化構件，其係例如在成型該塑膠側壁 l〇8a時，使用水注射成型製法所獲得者。該連續的硬化構 件106，如前所述’會以一如第1圖中所示的方式，平行且 鄰近於該第一側緣、該上緣和第二側緣來延伸，且該等通 氣孔110係設在該側壁108a之一區域中，該區域係被該硬化 構件116和該下緣124包圍。 第2(b)圖示出該側壁10如沿著截線b’_b’之一截面圖。如 可看出，該硬化構件116具有一中空結構而有一空穴116&在 其中，該空穴係以水注射成型法所形成，而可提供一構件 具有一高硬度及一減少的材料量，亦具有一減少的重量。 第2 (a)圖中所示的側壁結構在多數個條板箱被以前述 的五落構形來堆疊之情況下乃是不利的。第3圖係為一被以 該五落構形來提供之一堆條板箱的一層之示意圖。如可看 出，三個條板箱l00a〜100c係被側排併列，即該等條板箱 100a〜100c的侧壁係相鄰的。此外，二另外的條板箱1〇〇d 和100e係被排列成鄰接於該等條板箱丨〇〇a〜丨00c的端壁， 14 201221428 而使條板箱100d和100e的二端壁相鄰接。故，如由第3圖中 可見，條板箱100a〜100c的較短端壁會靠抵條板箱100d和 100e的較長侧壁，而造成於前所述的問題，即當有一力作 用在該等條板箱1 〇〇d和100e的側壁上時則在該側壁的中央 部份會較高，假使有一或多個該等條板箱l〇〇a〜100c由於 震動或類似原因而移動時，可能會導致損壞該等條板箱. 100d和l〇〇e。例如，在堆疊時首先該等條板箱⑺加和忉⑽ 會被提供，然後另外的條板箱l〇〇a〜100c會被加入，而當 排列該等添加的條板箱l〇〇a〜100c時，它們可能會撞擊在 條板箱100d和100e的側壁上，致造成該等側壁之一可能的 損壞。 故’在第2(a)圖中所示之該條板箱侧壁上的硬化結構雖 良好可用，但當該等條板箱互相平行排列時，如該等條板 相100a〜100c在如第3圖所示的條板箱之排列情況下乃是 不利的。 故，依據本發明有關第一態樣的實施例，一修正的硬 化構件會被提供。第4圖示出此一修正的硬化構件之一實施 例。第4圖示出該側壁10如具有該修正的硬化構件126。同 樣地，5彡硬化構件126具有__帛—部份126a會平行且鄰近於 該第一側緣118延伸。該修正的硬化構件126之一第二部份 126b會平行且鄰近於該第二側緣延伸。祕正的硬化構件 126亦是一連續的硬化構件，會由該側壁⑽&的左下邊角沿 該側緣m，並沿該上緣朝向第二側緣，再向下至該側$ 108a的右下邊角連續地延伸。該修正的硬化構件以更在該 15 201221428 側壁108a之一中央區域中包含形部份128，該u形部份 I28包含二垂直的硬化構件部份126c和126d，係實質上平行 於前述的部份〖26a和126b。又，有一部份126e係被設成鄰 近於该下緣124。在該側壁1〇心之中央部份外侧的左邊和右 邊部份’該修正的硬化構件126包含二個部份126f和126g係 被》又成鄰近於该上緣122。如前所述’該修正的硬化構件126 是一連續構件，即所有各部份126a〜136e係彼此互相連 接，而以一如第4圖中所示的方式形成該連續構件。該等通 氣孔110被設在該側壁的左邊和右邊部份，且該硬化構件係 分別被設在該等通氣孔與側緣118、12〇、該中央區域和該 上緣122之間。在該中央區域中，該等通氣孔係設具—硬化 構件介於該左邊和右邊部份及該下緣124之間。 第4圖的設置可為該側壁108&及該中央部份提供一增 加的硬度，而得在如上述當多數個條板箱被以第3圖所示的 五落構形來堆疊之情況下避免損壞。 該第一態樣的實施例不限於第4圖中所示的構形，該修 正的硬化構件126之其它不同構形亦可被提供。此等實施例 現將參照第5(a)至(c)圖來被描述。該各圖示意地示出該側 壁l〇8a，且亦參照第4圖針對修正的硬化構件126來說明。 在第5 (a)圖所示的實施例中’該側壁包含二個該修正的硬化 構件之u形部份，它們皆會朝向該下緣延伸全程。第5(b)圖 示出一不同實施例的示意圖，依據本例，該硬化構件的。 形部份只會向下朝該下緣延伸該側壁1〇8a的一半高度。第 5(c)圖示出又另一實施例的示意圖，其係使用三個具有不同 201221428 “深度”的u形硬化構件部份，即它們會朝該側壁的下緣以不 同的量延伸。 雖上述的實施例指稱U形硬化構件部份朝向該下緣延 伸，但請注意本發明並不受限於此等實施例。而依據另外 的實施例，在該側壁之一離開該等側緣的區域中朝向該底 延伸的硬化構件部份亦可為不同的，例如該部份可為V形， 或若有需要，亦可具有一不對稱的形狀。 第二態樣一“可移動的鉸鏈” 以下，本發明依據一第二態樣的實施例將會被描述。 該第二態樣係有關該條板箱側壁的摺疊，其當被下摺於該 底上時會互相重疊。如前所述’依據傳統的條板箱之側壁 下摺的順序必須被遵守’才能正確地摺合該條板箱來獲得 一最小的摺合條板箱之餘留體積。 第6圖示出一條板箱的截面圖，其中此截面圖係例如由 第1圖所示的條板箱之一中央位置所採者。第6圖中所示的 條板箱100包含該底102及側壁108a和l〇8b。該底102包含突 出部102a和102b等由該底102向上伸出。該等突出部1〇2&和 102b係在該底102的外邊緣處，且可與該底102形成一體。 該第一突出部102a包含一第一鉸鏈i5〇a其係被示意地示於 第6圖中。該第一鉸鏈150a會以一方式提供該突出部1〇23與 第一側壁108a之間的連接，而使該側壁能被以一如箭號 152a所示的方向來旋轉。由傳統的條板箱可知，某些裝置 可被提供以容許該側壁108a的移動只能從一位置下摺至該 底102上，及向上至一垂直位置如在第6圖中所示，而使該 17 201221428 側壁100a上之一下表面154a會被列設成鄰接或在該突出部 102a之一上表面處。以一類似的方式，一第二鉸鏈150b係 被設在一第二突出部l〇2b中，但是，如由第4圖中可看出， 該等鉸鏈150a和150b係相對於該底1〇2被設在不同的高 度。該鉸鏈150b係以一連接桿156連接於該側壁i〇〇b，而使 其能以箭號152b的方向朝向該底1〇2轉動。 依據一具有一如第6圖所示結構的條板箱，其必須以正 確的順序來下摺側壁108a和108b，才能確保該摺合條板箱 有一最小體積。第7圖示出第6圖所示的條板箱之一正確及 一不正確的摺疊。依據第6圖中所示的條板箱，當要被正確 地摺疊時，必須首先下摺側壁l〇8b，而使其平貼鄰接於該 底102。嗣該第二壁108a會被下摺。當遵守此正確的順序 時，該側壁108a的外表面實質上將會在如同該突出部1〇2& 和102b之上表面158a和158b離開該底1〇2的相同高度處。該 等侧壁108a和108b係被排列成使它們的下表面丨5如和丨5朴 會鄰近於該等突出部102a和102b的内側壁。如可由第7(a) 圖中看出，遵守該正確的摺疊順序會造成—具有最小體積 的摺合條板箱。 但是，當有關第7(a)圖所述的摺疊順序未被保持時，一 如第7(b)圖中所示的結果會被達到。如可看出，當先下摺側 壁108(a)時’將會排列成只有其前部或上部鄰接於該底 102，而該第二表面l〇8b會以一方式貼置在坌— ^力—表面l〇8a 上，使該第二側壁108b的至少一部份外壁會高出該等突出 部102a和102b之上表面158a和158b的水準上方。 201221428 故，要堆疊該等摺合的條板箱是不可能的，因為整個 疊堆將會變成不穩定的。因此，對此問題之一傳統的解決 方案係使該等突出部102a和102b具有一高度，俾得無幹於 該等側壁108a和108b的摺疊順序而使該等下摺側壁的頂部 水準實質上對應於突出部102a和l〇2b的上表面之高度。雖 此會解決摺合的條板箱之可能不穩定堆疊的問題，但同 時’其會減少能被堆疊之摺合條板箱的數目，因為該等下 摺條板箱的最小體積會增加。 依據本發明的發明人之調查，已發現該最小體積的增 加可能會使可在一普通托板上被運送的條板箱之總量減少 可能最高達15%，而造成增多的運送成本，此是不佳的。 因此，依據本發明的實施例，該條板箱的鉸鏈結構會 被以一如更詳細說明於後的方式來修正。第8圖示出一類似 於第6圖的截面圖，但是’示出該修正的鉸鏈結構。再次地， 該底102與突出部l〇2a和102b以及側壁i〇8a和i〇8b係被示 出。在該等突出部l〇2a和102b中，該等鉸鍵15〇0〇15〇b會 被&供，但是，該各絞鏈係可移動地設在該等突出部l〇2a 和102b中之一凹槽内，並以各自的桿16〇a、16〇b連接於各 別的側壁l〇8a和l〇8b»在第8圖所示的狀態中，該等側壁係 被上摺且是在垂直位置，而使它們的下表面鄰接於該等突 出部的上表面。該鉸鏈150b的位置係實質上相同於第6圖中 的鉸鏈位置，但是，該鉸鏈15如的位置是在與鉸鏈15此相 同水準處，而在第6圖中該二個鉸鏈是在不同水準處。 當要摺疊如第8圖中所示的條板箱時，係無關於其是否 19 201221428 首先將側壁l〇8a嗣再將側壁108b下摺，或者相反地進行。 第9圖示出當第8圖的條板箱被下摺時的情況，其可將側壁 108b先摺或側壁108a先摺。在第9(a)圖中可看出，該第二側 壁108b係被先摺，因此其會排列鄰接於該底102。在此情況 下’該鉸鏈150b實質上會保留在如同第8圖中所示的位置， 而一介於該側壁l〇8b之下表面與該突出部102b的内側壁之 間的間隙係由該桿160b的長度來決定。另一方面，鉸鍵a 〇a 會從第8圖中所示的位置移至一向上位置，而容許該第一側 壁108a貼置在第二側壁l〇8b上’使得該側壁⑺仏之外表面 的水準實質上對應於該等突出部102a和l〇2b的上表面。 第9(b)圖示出一類似的設置，但是，該第一側壁1〇8a 係被先下摺’而使一鉸鏈150a保留在如同第8圖中的位置。 如同有關第7(a)圖的說明’於本例中’該第二側壁1〇8b的鉸 鏈150b係被容許向上移動，因此於本例中該側壁1〇此的外 表面是在一實質上對應於突出部l〇2a和i〇2b之一上表面的 水準處。藉著容許各別的錄鍵可被移動，則如第7(b)圖中的 情況乃可避免，如由第9(b)圖中可見。故，依據本發明的實 施例’並不需要增加該等突出部的高度，而依據本發明之 實施例的設置，該等下摺側壁的上水準實質上恆會與該等 突出部102a和i〇2b的上表面相同，而不論是該第一側壁 108a或第二側壁1〇8b被首先下摺。因避免該等突出部的高 度增加’故可在一托板上同時被運送的摺合條板箱之整體 數目能夠增加，因此該等下摺條板箱的運送會比以傳統的 作法更有效率。 20 201221428 在第6至9圖中，該條板箱的截面圖係被示出未含端 壁。但請注意該等端壁亦必須被摺疊才能獲得一下摺的條 板箱，且依據實施例，該等端壁係被先下摺，因此該等側 壁在被下摺後會鄰近於該底，但係至少部份地貼置在該等 下摺的端壁上。亦可有其它的實施例，依據它們該等端壁 係只在該等侧壁被下摺後才會被下摺，而在此情況下，本 發明之實施例的原理，有關該第二態樣所述者亦可適用。 第三態樣一 “閂扣/閂扣釋開機構” 以下，本發明依據一第三態樣的實施例將會被描述。 傳統的可摺式條板箱並沒有各別的閂扣機構，其會在該等 端壁和側壁於垂直位置時提供一閂扣操作將它們固定在一 起。此一閂扣機構之一例係在一可摺疊條板箱的端壁中提 供一對可移動的閂扣，其在該垂直位置時，可銜接被設在 相鄰側壁中的各別閂扣承接元件。當然，各別的閂扣和閂 扣承接元件亦可被以其它方式來提供，即，該等閂扣可被 設在側壁中，而該等閂扣承接元件可被設在端壁中。 第10圖示出一傳統閂扣機構之一第一例β在第10(a)圖 中該條板箱10 0示出該第一侧壁10 6 a具有多數個通氣開孔 110。藉著端壁鉸鏈170a和170b，端壁106a係可旋轉地樞裝 於該底102，而容許該端壁l〇6a當被下摺時能朝向該底轉 動。又，該等側壁l〇8a和108b亦被示出。在該抓持孔112a 上方的部份中，該側壁l〇6a的上部172係示出有被強化，使 得當帶送該條板箱時可確保足夠的剛性和強度，且該抓持 孔112a上方之上部的破裂會被避免。又，二個閂扣機構17如 21 201221428 和174b係被設在該端壁中。第1〇(的以一放大圖示出該閂扣 機構174a的一例。在此例中，一閂扣176係被裝在該端壁 106a中之一凹槽178内。該閂扣176會被一亦設在該凹槽178 内的彈簧構件180偏壓於一朝外方向。在該側壁108a中有一 凹槽182會被設來供承接該閂扣176，而使該側壁與端壁間 之一閂鎖會被達成。為釋開該閂扣機構，一適當的作動元 件會被設在該閂扣機構174a中，其可容許該閂扣176向内移 動，即以一離開該側壁l〇8a的方向，而使該閂扣176與一設 在該凹槽182中的閂扣承接或對抵元件184釋脫。當一閂扣 被釋開後，該端壁可被向下摺疊於該底上，且接著該側壁 亦可被下摺。 第11圖示出一傳統的閂扣機構之另一例。在第。(幻圖 中一類似於第10(a)圖中所示的設置係被示出，唯除該閂扣 機構係被不同地實現。該閂扣機構包含一揚升桿186，其可 被垂向地移動，如箭號188所示。第11(b)圖示出一依據本例 之閂扣機構的放大圖。如可看出，該揚升桿186的外端係設 有一扣鈎190或一閂扣，其係容納於該側壁1〇8(a)的凹槽182 内，並銜接該閂扣對抵元件184。該揚升桿186係被以一朝 下向偏壓，因此當該等側壁和端壁在該垂直位置時，該扣 鈎會迫抵於該元件184巾，㈣牢固射貞住料側壁和端 壁。要釋開該等側壁和端壁時’該提升桿會被向上提高， 而使該扣钩與該元件m釋脫，並容許該端㈣如可被向下 移動或旋轉至該底上。 雖大致而言該問扣機構能順利操作，而在各壁部於一 22 201221428 垂直狀態時可提供一牢固的鎖緊，但其有一缺點係該等閂 扣機構在多數個條板箱被互相上下堆疊的情況下可能會釋 開。此會造成前述的問題。例如，當被堆疊在一粍板上時 由於該等條板箱之一震動或不當操作，則一或多個該等條 板箱的閂扣機構可能會釋開，例如，因一震動致使該等閂 扣元件沿其釋開方向移動。此可能造成一種情況，其中一 或多個在一疊堆中的條板箱會有未鎖固的壁，而使該整體 疊堆的結構完整性瀕臨險境，因一或多個該等條板箱可能 崩塌，所以被堆疊在其頂上的其它條板箱亦將會掉落。 為避免此等情況，本發明依據第三態樣的實施例提供 一種新穎的閂扣機構，其將參照第12圖被描述於後。第12 圖示出依據本發明之一實施例的鎖定機構。在第12圖中所 示的機構係類似於第11(a)圖中所示者，唯除該揚升桿186 係被设成，要釋開該閂扣或鎖定時，至少有一部份丨^以和 186b必須被移動，使其伸出該條板箱的高度上方或高於該 條板箱之一上緣。在本例中，如第12圖所示的閂扣機構可 類似於第11(b)®巾所示者，唯除其係被設成鄰近於該端壁 购和側壁職之—上緣。第12⑷圖示出該條㈣及該揚 升桿186在未鎖定位置，且如可看出，料部份腕和祕 會延伸高出祕板_上緣—轉d。此料該等條板箱的 簡單鎖疋/額。但是’朗扣機構必須被移動高出該條板 箱的高度才能被釋開。此可避免當互相上下堆疊多數個條 板箱時的問題。 ” 第13圖示出一具有依據本發明之另一實施例的新賴閃 23 201221428 扣機構之條板箱的側視圖。第13(a)圖示出該條板箱具有該 閂扣機構會阻擋該側壁移向該端壁，而第13(b)圖示出該閂 扣機構在該釋開位置。更具體而言，依據第13圖的實施例， 如在其它實施例中，該條板箱包含一底102及該端壁106a。 請注意相對的端壁l〇6b亦具有與第13(a)圖中所示者相同的 結構。又，該二側壁l〇8a和108b亦被示出。在該條板箱的 邊角部份’各側壁l〇8a和108b皆包含一突出部190a和190b 具有一厚度對應於該端壁106a的厚度。該等突出部190a和 190b可包含多數個縫隙192,它們係被提供來容納設在該侧 壁106a之正面上的凸體，用以增加該側壁與端壁之間的連 接穩定性。該揚升機構186是由一弧形元件所形成，其具有 端部186a和186b等在鎖定位置時係與該條板箱之一上緣齊 平。s玄揚升機構186包含二销194a和194b會穿過以一垂直方 向延伸且被設在該端壁1 〇6a中的槽孔196a和196b而朝向該 條板箱的内部延伸。藉由該等銷194和槽孔196，該揚升機 構186沿一垂直方向之一受限的移動係可達成，而沿一橫側 方向的非必要移動會被避免。此外，該揚升機構包含彈簀 元件198a和198b等有一端連接於該機構1〇6，而另一端靠抵 该刖壁或側壁106a之一上條199的下表面。該等彈簧元件 198靠抵該上條199 ’而不須要被固定於它，但在實施例中， 與該上條199之一連接亦可被提供。該等元件198係由與該 揚升桿和條板箱相同的材料所形成，例如一塑膠材料。變 化的實施例亦可使用由一不同材料例如金屬或類似物所形 成的其它彈簧元件。該等元件198會將該揚升桿196偏壓至 24 201221428 如第13(a)圖中所示的位置。 第13(b)圖示出該揚升機構186在其釋開位置^如可看 出’該揚升桿108會對抗該等彈簧元件19加和19013的偏壓力 移至一位置，其係比第13(&)圖中所示的鎖定位置更靠近該 上條199。以此方向移動該機構186會造成該等元件198的偏 移，使得當釋放該揚升機構186時，其會被向後推壓回到第 13(a)圖中所示的位置，如可由第13(b)圖看出，該元件186 的升高會使端部186a和186b揚升，而使得元件186a和186b 從設在該等突出部192a和192b之一上表面上的各別鎖銷 187a和187b釋離，它們係被該等元件18如和18615中之一各 別的開孔或凹槽套抵銜接，用以將該端壁和該等側壁互相 鎖定。 在第13(b)圖所示的位置中，該鎖定機構係被釋開而可 容許該端壁被向下摺疊於該底上，然後該等側壁可被朝下 摺向該底。 如可由第13(b)圖看出，如同有關第12圖所述的實施 例，於此該等元件186a和186b亦係移至該條板箱的上緣上 方，因此當有一或多個其它條板箱被堆疊在第丨双⑴圖所示 的條板箱頂上時，該機構186將不能被作動而進入第13(1}) 圖中所示的位置。 針對有關該鎖定機構之本發明實施例所述的解決方案 之另一優點係不必提供一昂貴的材料來形成該等彈性元件 198a和198b，而依據該等實施例，用以製成該整個條板箱 的相同材料亦可被使用，例如，相同的塑膠材料。傳統的 25 201221428 方法會受制於-劣勢，即相同的材料係仙來形成該條板 箱和該等彈侃件，例如—塑膠材料。在該條板箱的壽命 期間，該彈簧構件(其材料是形成該條板箱者)可能會喪失全 β或部份其雜特質。於此纽τ，肖以保持/偏壓該揚 升機構於第13(a)圖所示位置的力量將會喪失或減少。此會 增加釋開關制危險，即使料較小的力施加於該條板 箱。依據本發明的實施例此等問題會被避免，因假使該條 板箱係被設成一疊堆而有其它的條板箱在頂上（如一般方 式是裝滿的條板箱會被運送），則將該揚升桿保持在該鎖定 位置不僅可藉該朝下導入的偏壓力來達成，且亦由於該結 構需要該揚升桿伸出高於該上緣上方才能釋開該閂鎖。 故，即使若該彈性構件可能喪失其彈性特質，但該機 構之一不當的釋開仍會被避免，因在該疊堆中該揚升桿不 月b被移動至該條板箱的上緣上方，故而不會容許該鎖定機 構釋開。 第14圖示出一例，其中有二個條板箱1〇〇和1〇〇，被互相 上下堆疊》如從第14圖可看出，由於堆疊故該條板箱100中 的揚升桿106之移動將不再可能，因為另一條板箱1〇〇，係被 排列在該條板箱100上方。故，條板箱1〇〇不能被釋開鎖定’ 而上述的問題會被避免。 雖第12〜14圖描述本發明使用一揚升桿的實施例，但 請注意本發明並不受限於該等實施例。而其它的閂扣元件 或鎖定元件亦可被使用，其容許一閂扣與一閂扣對抵部件 的釋脫’且該等各別元件可被構設成假設在一未鎖定位置 26 201221428 # 機構的至少_部份移動高出該高度。例如， 取代使用揚升# ’可旋轉元件可被設在該端壁的兩端， 被向下轉賴狀態，但要釋開該 閃扣時’則必須該等元件被向上轉動以使其之至少一部份 伸出超過該條板箱的上緣，而得在互相上下堆疊多數個條 板f目時達到如刚所述的相同效果。雖第丨2〜剛描述該閃 扣機構或鎖定機構係被提供在端壁上，但請注意本發明並 不又P艮於此等實施例，而該揚升桿或其它可動關扣元件 亦可被攻在該等㈣巾，且料端壁可被提供各別的問扣 對抵部件。 第四態樣一“冷卻液入口” 以下，本發明依據一第四態樣的實施例將會被描述。 如刖所述之傳統的條板箱僅設有通氣孔1 1 〇等可容許空氣 流通穿過該條板箱。但是，為了各種不同的理由，例如為 快速冷卻該等條板箱内部的貨物，或為保持貨物例如萵苣 或類似物等蔬菜在一預定的溫度，其可能需要亦供應一冷 卻液，較好是冷水，進入該條板箱的内部。由於該冷卻液， 例如冰水，可能亦含有小冰粒，故不可能經由第2圖中所示 的氣孔110來注入一所需量的冷卻液，而使用其中具有個別 細粒的冰水或類似物將會造成該等氣孔的阻塞，致不能容 許該冷卻液完全注入該内部。 依據本發明之該第四態樣的實施例，—種條板箱會被 提供其可設有一或多個入口，以容許該冷卻液被注入該條 板箱的内部，其中該一或多個入口所具的尺寸可確保該冷 27 201221428 卻液能依需要來被注入。 第15圖示出一依據本發明之第四態樣的實施例之條板 箱的側視圖。第15圖係示出一類似於第2圖中所示的側壁 108a。該側壁i〇8a包含該硬化構件116和通氣孔11〇等。此 外，三個入口200a〜200c會被提供，其中該第一入口200a 係設在該側壁l〇8a的左上邊角鄰近於該硬化構件116處。以 一類似方式，該第二入口200b係被設在該侧壁i〇ga的右上 邊角處。該第三入口 200c係被設在該侧壁i〇8a之一中央位 置，而鄰近於該側壁l〇8a的下緣124或鄰近於該底1〇2。 第16圖示出一如第15圖的類似設置，唯除該側壁1〇8a 具有一如第4圖中所示的結構。該硬化構件116具有兩個n形 部份以及一個U形部份介於其間，且該等入口 2〇〇&和2〇〇b 係被设在該硬化構件116的η形部份上端遠離該側壁1〇8&的 下緣124處。該第三入口 2〇〇c係被設在該硬化構件丨“的。 形部份底部鄰近於該側壁l〇8a之下緣124處。 如第13和14圖中所示的入口 2〇〇a〜2〇〇c之設置可能較 有利’因該等入口 200a和200b可比入口 200c更大，且係被 3又成罪近於該等硬化構件，而得避免該側壁由於設有該等 尺寸比通氣孔更大的入口導致任何結構整體性的減少。 依據實施例’該一或多個入口 2〇〇a〜2〇〇c係設有一柵 網具有一網孔尺寸會被調配成使在該冷卻液中存有的細粒 可通過該網而不會阻塞該入口。雖第15和16圖示出本發明 之第四態樣的實施例具有三個入口，但請注意本發明並不 欠限於此一設置。而，該等入口的數目乃可視需要來被自 28 201221428 由地選擇，例如只有一或二個入口可被提供，或者多於三 個入口。又，依據本發明的實施例，該等入口可另擇或附 加地被設在該等端壁上。 藉由本發明之第四態樣的實施例，乃能確保足夠的冷 卻液例如冰水可被注入該等條板箱内部’即使當該等條板 箱係被堆疊在一托板上時，例如，當將該等條板箱堆疊在 一歐式托板上時’三個條板箱會被併列排成兩排而使它們 的側壁相鄰。故’在該疊堆中央的條板箱之側壁會鄰接於 各外側條板箱之各別的側壁，因此當在該等外側的條板箱 施加一足夠的液體時，其亦會由於該等大入口而通過至該 條板箱的内部。此對一五落構形亦是同樣的，故其可被使 用於美國’且如第3圖中所示。條板箱100a〜100c係被設成 使它們的側壁相鄰，而容許該冷卻液以一如上所述的方式 流入。就其它二個條板箱100c^〇100e而言，該冷卻液能經 由它們面向該疊堆外側的侧壁而被簡單地注入。 故’措由本發明之第四態樣的實施例’由於設有依據 本發明之實施例的入口，故一充分的冷卻液流會被確保。 在以上本發明的說明中，一條板箱之各種不同態樣的 實施例係被分開地描述。但是，本發明的實施例並不限於 只含有該四種態樣之一者的條板箱，而本發明的實施例亦 有關一種含有一或多個或全部的上述態樣之條板箱。換言 之’本發明的實施例可提供一種條板箱，包含依據第—態 樣的硬化構件，和依據第二態樣的可移動鉸鏈，和依據第 三態樣的閂扣機構，及依據第四態樣的冷卻液入口等之一 29 201221428 者或更多者。 上述的實施例係僅為舉列說明本發明的原理。應請瞭 解所述的設置與細節之修正和變化對其它精習於該技術者 將可輕易得知。因此乃意圖僅由所附的申請專利範圍來限 定，而非由在此以實施例之描述和說明來呈現的特定細節 來限定。 【圖式簡單說明】 第1圖為一條板箱之一立體圖； 第2圖為第1圖的條板箱之一側視圖； 第3圖為一被呈五落構形來提供的一堆條板箱之一層 的示意圖。 第4圖示出-具有-修正的硬化構件之條板箱的側壁 之一實施例； 第5(a)〜(c)圖示出第4圖之修正的硬化構件之不同構形； 第6圖為在第1圖所示的條板箱之一中央位置所採之一 條板箱的截面圖； 第7圖示出第6圖中所示的條板箱之一正確（第7⑷圖） 與一不正確的（第7(b)圖）摺疊方式； 第8圖為一類似於第6圖的截面圖’而示出依據本發明 實施例之修正的鉸鏈結構； 第9圖示出當第8圖的條板箱被先將側壁1〇此摺疊（第 9(a)圖）或先將側壁l〇8a摺疊（第9(b)圖）而來摺合時的情況； 第10圖示出一傳統閂扣機構之一例’其中第1〇⑷圖示 出該條板箱的一側壁，而第10(b)圖在一放大圖中示出該閂 30 201221428 扣機構之一例； 第11圖示出一傳統閃扣機構的另—例，其中第11 (a)圖 示出一類似於第10(a)圖中的設置’而第叫)圖示出該依據 本例的閂扣機構之一放大圖； 第12圖示出依據本發明之一實施例的鎖定機構； 第13圖示出第12圖的條板箱而該揚升桿是在未鎖定位置； 第14圖示出二條板箱彼此上下堆疊之—例；201221428 VI. Description of the Invention: [Technical Field 3 of the Invention] Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a crate or container for containing a product. More specifically, an embodiment of the present invention relates to a plastic crates It is known to be used in Gwana and/or to transport foods such as fruits, vegetables, meat and the like. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 3. A crate for storing and transporting products such as fruits and vegetables is widely used in the market. The crates are both light and stable, making them suitable for delivering the harvested products from the field to the customer. For example, in the case of hot fruit, such as bananas, the products are typically harvested when they are not yet mature and packaged in the crate for subsequent shipment and delivery. During this journey, these fruits have time to mature. Also, other fruits such as apples or the like, or vegetables such as lettuce or the like, and meat or eggs may be placed in the crate at the producer and transported using the crate. . Prior to shipping, the filled crates are typically stacked one on top of the other and side by side on two pallets which are then transported together to respective conveyor equipment. Usually, a specific cross-stacking technique will be used, such as a "five-fall configuration." In this five-drop configuration, five crate boxes are arranged adjacent to each other in a rectangular array, with two of them forming a row along the length direction and the other three forming a row along the width direction. There is a problem with this arrangement 201221428. When stacking S-slots in this way, three rows of crates formed in a row in the width direction will form a row with their shorter end walls against the length direction. The longer side walls of the two crates. Therefore, the force acting on the side walls of the crate arranged in the longitudinal direction is higher, especially at the central portion of the side wall of the crate arranged along the length direction. This may cause damage to the crate when it is shipped or stacked. The above-described crate can be a plastic crate comprising opposite end walls and opposite side walls extending from a bottom having a generally rectangular shape. The crate can also be formed from other materials such as wood, cardboard or the like. These crates are also referred to as foldable crates, which means that the end walls and side walls can be folded down in the direction of the bottom. This allows the empty boxes to be transported in their folded state, for example to the field where the crops are harvested and placed directly into individual crates. This allows for the transport of a large number of folded crates using a minimum amount of troughs to deliver the folded crate to the desired location in an economical manner. There are also crate boxes of different heights. That is, some crate boxes have a plurality of walls extending from the bottom by a first distance, and the other walls extending upwardly by a second distance greater than the first distance. The height of the crate, when unfolded, depends on the product to be contained and shipped. The structure of the crate having the foldable walls may be such that the side walls may overlap when folded down on the bottom. In this case, in order to obtain a minimum possible height, the conventional slats The box requires _ to refer to the specific order in which the individual walls are stacked. For example, first, the two end wall portions are folded onto the bottom, and then one of the two side walls is first folded down to be attached to the lower folded end walls, and then the side walls are A second and 201221428 will be folded down. The respective side walls are constructed in such a way that a minimum height of one of the folded crates is obtained without any portion extending beyond this height. However, this method is less desirable because the user who needs a crates knows how the crates are folded, ie the individual walls must be folded in the correct way. Otherwise the minimum height cannot be obtained. Moreover, the components of the wall portions may extend beyond the minimum height and impede proper stacking of the weighted crate. One solution to this problem is that at the edge of the base a projection extends upwardly from the base at a predetermined distance, ensuring independence of the manner in which the two side walls are folded, even in the "worst case" No part of the side walls will extend above the top end of the projection. Although this will solve the problem that some parts extend beyond the height of the folded crate, it will increase the fold at the same time. The height of the crates will thus limit the overall number of folded crates that can be stacked and transported. Although it seems to be a minor problem when looking at a single crates, we must consider the following Situation: A large number of such crates are folded and placed on separate pallets, and the projections have an increased height as described above, which may result in a loss of approximately 15% of the transport capacity. The crate is foldable and further includes a locking mechanism that ensures a secure attachment of the side walls and end walls in a non-folded condition of the crate. At the same time, an easy to operate mechanism must be provided so that in All the products have been removed and the crates are to be shipped back to the supplier, for example for cleaning, and when the crates need to be folded, the latches are released. Thus a strip with foldable walls The box will contain a release mechanism that will act on the latching element 5 201221428 to release the flash lock and thus allow for the downward weighting of the respective side walls. For example, the side walls may contain separate receptacles Provided at one of its side edges, a side edge is adjacent to the end walls. In the end wall of the material, a movable flash button can be provided, for example, when the respective wall is brought to its upright position, A hook is biased in a downward direction and engages with the receptacle in the side wall. For example, when a side wall is moved from the bottom position to the upright position, the hook will pass through the side member The material is raised, and then, due to the downward bias, the buckle will be received by the receptacle h when the flashing mechanism is released, the buckle will be raised to make the flash components Will be released, and the side wall can be folded down again in the direction of the bottom. These institutions will provide - easy to operate The way to unravel the engagement of the crate 'but 'in general' these mechanisms are purely designed to be activated at any time when the crate is unfolded. This is Poor, because it will also be used when a large number of crates are stacked, for example on a pallet. In this case, due to a shock or a wrong operation, The latch mechanism of one or more of the crate may be actuated to release the corresponding wall element, rendering the overall stack unstable. In the worst case, this may result in the The collapse of the stack, as one or more of the crates in the stack may no longer provide the required stability for supporting the crates pushed on top of them. As mentioned above, the crates Can be used to transport food such as vegetables, fruits and meat or the like. These products may require cooling, so it is best to provide a coolant such as ice water or the like inside the crate to ensure Wait until the goods are kept fresh and / or at an appropriate temperature. Although the slats 201221428 box 'generally' have openings in the side walls and bottom to allow air circulation, such openings may not allow sufficient coolant to flow inside the crate 'for example, when Ice-making materials, age-bearing ice peaks in the liquid stream, they will not be able to pass through the scales for air circulation (4), and may actually block the plug holes, obstructing the interior of the body copper secret box. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: j SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved crates that overcome one or more of the problems associated with conventional crates described above. According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a crate comprising a bottom, a two end wall and two side walls. Each of the side walls includes a first side edge adjacent the first end wall, a second side edge adjacent the second end wall, a lower edge adjacent the bottom, and an upper edge spaced away from the bottom. Each side wall includes a continuous stiffening member parallel to the side edges and extending at least partially parallel to the upper edge. The continuous stiffening member includes a hardened portion that extends in at least a region between the side edges, the upper edge extending in a direction toward the lower edge and back to the upper edge. According to an embodiment, the hardened portion is u-shaped and extends toward the lower edge in a central region of one of the side walls. In an embodiment of the invention, the hardened portion extends toward the lower edge such that the distance from one to the lower edge is less than or equal to half the height of the sidewall. Alternatively, the stiffening member may extend to the lower edge of the side wall. Embodiments can include a continuous stiffening member having a plurality of hardened portions extending toward a lower edge of the sidewall. In such embodiments, the plurality of hardening 7 201221428 members may have the same or different distances to the lower edge of the sidewall. Embodiments of the present invention may provide a crate made of plastic, and the continuous hardened member may be formed by water injection molding. The crate can be foldable such that the end walls and side walls can be folded relative to the bottom. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a crate comprising a base having a canine portion arranged on opposite length edges and extending from the base up to an opposite end extending along a width edge of the base The wall, and the opposite side walls extend along the length of the base. The end walls and side walls are configured to be foldable relative to the bottom. The side walls have a height that allows the side walls to at least partially overlap when folded. Each side wall is coupled to the bottom by at least one hinge, and each hinge is slidably disposed in the protrusion, such that the hinge can be adjacent to the lower end of the protrusion and the protrusion at the protrusion One of the upper ends moves between. According to an embodiment, the height of the projection above the base substantially corresponds to the thickness of the two side walls. According to an embodiment, in the unfolded state, the lower ends of the side walls are placed on one of the upper surfaces of the respective protrusions, and the hinges of the two side walls are in a lower position close to the bottom; In the state, the lower ends of the side walls are opposite to the inner surfaces of the respective protrusions, and the hinges of the side walls are at different heights of the protrusions, and one of the side walls is placed on the bottom to be folded The end wall and the other side wall are at least partially attached to the one side wall. According to an embodiment, the hinge of the side wall attached to the end walls will remain in the lower position, and the hinge of the other side wall is located at a position above the lower position 201221428, allowing the folding The arrangement of the side walls becomes substantially parallel to the bottom of the δ, where the outer surface of one of the other side walls is substantially at the same level as the upper surface of the canines. According to an embodiment, the money chains can be constructed such that, in the folded state, there is a gap between the lower surface of the side walls and the respective inner surfaces of the projections. The brim key may include an extension rod connecting the more key member of the protrusion and the side wall "the extension rod defines the gap and has a length from a distance between the lower portion of the hinge and the height of the protrusion Defined. Each side wall can include a plurality of hinges. An embodiment of the invention according to the third aspect provides a crate comprising a bottom end two end walls and two side walls. The end walls and side walls are configured to be material relative to the wire. The material end walls and (iv) contain respective snap elements which are joined to each other when the scale end walls and _ are unfolded to form a - off. 1 buckle release mechanism will be set on each end wall or side wall, wherein the difficult flash release mechanism and / / buckle element system is made to be movable and can be extended high (four) each - Above the upper edge to release the flash lock. The embodiment provides a flash release mechanism comprising a lift lever having two flashing members connected at opposite ends to one of the walls, and having a shape to enable at least a portion of the flash release mechanism When in the -release position, it will extend above the upper edge of the wall. According to other embodiments, one of the articulated flash button members is movable 'and has a fixed '', wherein the movable snap member is configured to be at the position of the fixed edge member at - (4) It will extend above the edge of the 201221428 on the wall. The movable latch member, when in the released position, can be configured to be folded with a wall that is being moved toward the base. An embodiment according to a fourth aspect of the present invention provides a crate comprising a bottom, two end walls, and two side walls. At least one of the end walls and the side walls includes an inlet having a size to allow a predetermined amount of coolant to be injected into the interior of the crate. According to an embodiment, at least two opposing walls may comprise a plurality of inlets, for example each side wall may comprise a plurality of inlets. According to an embodiment, each of the side walls includes first and second side edges adjacent to the respective end walls, the lower edge being adjacent to the bottom, and an upper edge being remote from the bottom. a first inlet system is disposed adjacent to the first upper corner of the side wall adjacent to the first side edge and the upper edge, and the second inlet is disposed adjacent to a second upper corner of one of the side walls Adjacent to the second side edge and the upper edge. Other embodiments provide a side wall having a continuous stiffening member that extends parallel to the first and second side edges and parallel to the upper edge, and has a u-shaped portion extending toward a lower edge of the s in a central region. a first inlet is disposed at a left portion of the side wall at a distance from the lower edge, and the continuous hardened member has a portion at the second inlet and the first side edge, the upper edge, and Between the central areas. a second inlet is disposed at a right portion of the side wall at a distance from the lower edge, and a portion of the continuous stiffening member is at the second entrance σ and the second side edge, the upper edge, and Between the central areas. According to an embodiment, in a central region of the side wall, a third inlet may be provided at a distance from the upper edge, and the continuous hardened member may have a portion between the third inlet and the lower edge, The left and right parts are between 201221428. The third inlet may have a dimension that is smaller than the first and second inlets. The inlets may be provided with a grid having a mesh size to allow passage of liquid, such as ice water containing ice fines therein. The embodiment of the present invention according to the first to fourth aspects can provide a plastic crate which is provided for accommodating and/or transporting food > fruit, vegetables, meat and the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a crates; Figure 2 is a side view of a crates of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic view of a stack of laths provided by a five-drop configuration . Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a side wall of a crate having a modified hardening member; Figures 5(a) to (c) illustrate different configurations of the modified hardened member of Figure 4; The figure shows a cross-sectional view of one of the crates taken at the center of the crate shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 7 shows one of the crate shown in Fig. 6 is correct (the seventh (figure) And an incorrect (Fig. 7(b)) folding mode; • Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 6, showing a modified hinge structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; When the crate of the 8th circle is folded by the side wall i 〇 8 b (Fig. 9(a)) or the side wall 108a is folded first (Fig. 9(b)); The figure shows an example of a conventional flash button mechanism, wherein the first one (4) shows 11 201221428 out of one side wall of the crate, and the tenth (b) figure shows an example of the latch mechanism in an enlarged view. Figure 11 shows another example of a conventional latch mechanism, wherein the figure shows a setting similar to that in the figure 10(a), and the figure 11(b) shows the case according to this example. One of the latching mechanisms is enlarged; the 12th Figure 1 shows a locking mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 13 shows the crate of Figure 12 and the lift bar is in the unlocked position; Figure 14 shows the two crates stacked one on top of the other - Figure 15 shows a side view of a crate according to an embodiment of the fourth aspect of the present invention; and Figure 16 shows a setting similar to that of Figure 15, except that the side wall has the same The structure shown in Fig. 4. C. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the following description, different aspects of a crate will be described, that is, an added central hardening element is provided to avoid damage to the side walls of a crate; Providing a movable hinge of the foldable side wall to allow the side walls of one of the crates to be folded, which are overlapped in a random manner in the folded state; providing a latching mechanism/latch release mechanism to avoid stacked strips An unintentional opening of the latch of the crate; and an inlet for injecting a cooling liquid such as ice water into the interior of the crate, and the like. However, first, the components of the crate that are used in all aspects will be described below with reference to Fig. 1. 1 is a perspective view of the crate 100 including a bottom 102 which may include a plurality of openings 104. The crate 1 further includes a first end wall i〇6a 12 201221428 and a second end wall l6b relative to the first end wall 106a. Further, the opposite side walls 108a and 108b are disposed to face each other. As can be seen, the side walls 108a and 108b are longer than the end walls 106a and 106b. The side walls and end walls can be folded toward the base 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention such that, for example, first the end walls 106a and 106b can be folded over the bottom, and then the side walls 108a and 108b can be oriented toward the Bottom fold. The dimensions of the side walls in the height direction may be 'when they are folded toward the bottom, the side walls may overlap. The advantage of folding the side walls and end walls towards the bottom is that the remaining volume of the crate will be minimized, and the crate will only occupy the low state when folded. Thus a large number of empty boxes are available. Stacked, for example on a single pallet for shipping. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the crates are made of plastic to provide a lower weight and a high stability for storage and/or transportation. In addition to the holes 104 in the bottom 102, holes 110 and the like are formed in the respective walls to provide vent holes. Further, larger holes 112a and 112b are provided in the upper portions of the end walls 106a and 106b which define the gripping holes. As can be seen, the upper edges 114 & and 114b of the end walls can have an increased thickness to ensure a secure hold when the gripping holes 112a and 112b are gripped to carry the crate. And will provide a sufficient strength to the end wall portion above the gripping holes. First Aspect - "Central Hardened Portion" The following embodiments of the present invention in accordance with a first aspect will be described. Figure 2 shows a side view of the crate 1 。. The first side face 108a is shown extending upwardly from the base 102 in Figure 2(a). As previously mentioned, in the case where the crate is a foldable crate, Figure 2(a) shows the side wall 10a 13 201221428 in its upright or unfolded position. Also, a plurality of vent holes (10) are shown. The side wall 108a includes a stiffening member 116 having a first portion extending parallel to a first side edge ι 18 of the side wall 108a. The side edge 118 is, for example, adjacent to the first end face 106a shown in Fig. 1. The stiffening member U6 also extends parallel to a second side edge 120 of the side wall 108a, wherein the second side edge 12 is adjacent to the second end wall 106b. The stiffening member in turn extends parallel to an upper edge 122 of the side wall 108a, wherein the upper edge 122 is adjacent to the bottom edge 2 away from the lower edge 124'. As shown in Fig. 2(a), the hardened member 116 is a continuous hardened member obtained by, for example, water injection molding when molding the plastic side wall 8a. The continuous stiffening member 106, as previously described, will extend parallel and adjacent to the first side edge, the upper edge and the second side edge in a manner as shown in FIG. 1, and the pass A vent 110 is provided in a region of the side wall 108a that is surrounded by the stiffening member 116 and the lower edge 124. Fig. 2(b) shows a cross-sectional view of the side wall 10 as it is along the line b'_b'. As can be seen, the stiffening member 116 has a hollow structure and has a cavity 116 & wherein the void is formed by water injection molding to provide a member having a high hardness and a reduced amount of material. It also has a reduced weight. The side wall structure shown in Fig. 2(a) is disadvantageous in the case where a plurality of crate sheets are stacked in the aforementioned five-drop configuration. Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of one of the layers of a stack of crates provided by the five-drop configuration. As can be seen, the three crate blocks l00a to 100c are juxtaposed side by side, i.e., the side walls of the crate boxes 100a to 100c are adjacent. In addition, two additional crate 1〇〇d and 100e are arranged adjacent to the end walls of the crate 丨〇〇a 丨00c, 14 201221428 to make the two end walls of the crate 100d and 100e Adjacent. Therefore, as can be seen from Fig. 3, the shorter end walls of the crate 100a-100c will abut against the longer side walls of the crate 100d and 100e, causing the aforementioned problem, that is, when there is a force In the side walls of the crate 1 〇〇d and 100e, the central portion of the side wall will be higher, in case one or more of the crate boxes l〇〇a~100c are vibrated or the like. When moving, it may cause damage to the crate. 100d and l〇〇e. For example, when stacking, the crate (7) plus 忉 (10) will be provided first, then the additional crate l〇〇a~100c will be added, and when the added crate l〇〇a is arranged At ~100c, they may impinge on the side walls of the crate 100d and 100e, causing possible damage to one of the side walls. Therefore, the hardened structure on the side wall of the crate shown in Fig. 2(a) is well available, but when the crate is arranged in parallel with each other, such as the slat phases 100a to 100c are as The arrangement of the crate shown in Fig. 3 is disadvantageous. Thus, in accordance with an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, a modified stiffening member will be provided. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of this modified hardening member. Figure 4 shows the side wall 10 as a stiffening member 126 having this correction. Similarly, the 5-inch hardened member 126 has a __帛-portion 126a that extends parallel to and adjacent to the first side edge 118. The second portion 126b of one of the modified stiffening members 126 extends parallel and adjacent to the second side edge. The secreted stiffening member 126 is also a continuous stiffening member that will be along the side edge m of the left lower corner of the side wall (10) & and along the upper edge toward the second side edge, and down to the side $108a The lower right corner extends continuously. The modified hardening member further includes a shaped portion 128 in a central region of the side wall 108a of the 15 201221428, the u-shaped portion I28 including two vertical hardened member portions 126c and 126d substantially parallel to the aforementioned portion 〖26a and 126b. Also, a portion 126e is disposed adjacent to the lower edge 124. The modified hardened member 126 on the outer left and right portions of the central portion of the side wall 1 includes two portions 126f and 126g which are adjacent to the upper edge 122. As described above, the modified hardened member 126 is a continuous member, i.e., all of the portions 126a to 136e are connected to each other, and the continuous member is formed in a manner as shown in Fig. 4. The venting holes 110 are provided in the left and right portions of the side wall, and the hardening members are respectively disposed between the vent holes and the side edges 118, 12A, the central portion, and the upper edge 122. In the central region, the venting means are between the left and right portions and the lower edge 124. The arrangement of Fig. 4 may provide an increased hardness for the side walls 108& and the central portion, as in the case where a plurality of crate sheets are stacked in a five-drop configuration as shown in Fig. 3 as described above. Avoid damage. The first aspect of the embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 4, and other different configurations of the modified stiffening member 126 may also be provided. These embodiments will now be described with reference to Figures 5(a) through (c). The figures schematically show the side wall 10a, and are also described with reference to Fig. 4 for the modified stiffening member 126. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5(a), the side wall includes two u-shaped portions of the modified hardened member, all of which extend toward the lower edge. Figure 5(b) shows a schematic view of a different embodiment, according to this example, of the stiffening member. The shaped portion will only extend half the height of the side wall 1〇8a downward toward the lower edge. Fig. 5(c) is a schematic view showing still another embodiment using three U-shaped hardened member portions having different "2012" depths, i.e., they extend in different amounts toward the lower edge of the side wall. Although the above embodiment refers to the U-shaped hardened member portion extending toward the lower edge, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. According to another embodiment, the portion of the hardened member extending toward the bottom in a region of the side wall away from the side edges may be different, for example, the portion may be V-shaped or, if necessary, It can have an asymmetrical shape. Second Aspect - "Removable Hinge" Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in terms of a second aspect of the embodiment. The second aspect relates to the folding of the side walls of the crate which overlap each other when folded down on the bottom. As previously mentioned, the order in which the side walls of the traditional crate are folded down must be observed' to properly fold the crate to obtain a minimum remaining volume of the folded crate. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a crate, which is taken, for example, from a central position of a crate shown in Fig. 1. The crate 100 shown in Fig. 6 includes the bottom 102 and side walls 108a and 108b. The base 102 includes projections 102a and 102b and the like which project upwardly from the base 102. The projections 1〇2& and 102b are at the outer edge of the base 102 and may be integral with the base 102. The first projection 102a includes a first hinge i5a, which is schematically shown in Fig. 6. The first hinge 150a provides a connection between the projection 1〇23 and the first side wall 108a in a manner such that the side wall can be rotated in a direction as indicated by an arrow 152a. As can be seen from conventional crate, certain means can be provided to allow the movement of the side wall 108a to be folded down only from one position onto the base 102, and up to a vertical position as shown in Figure 6, One of the lower surfaces 154a of the side wall 100a of the 17 201221428 may be arranged to abut or at an upper surface of the protrusion 102a. In a similar manner, a second hinge 150b is provided in a second projection 102b, but as can be seen from Fig. 4, the hinges 150a and 150b are relative to the bottom. 2 are set at different heights. The hinge 150b is coupled to the side wall i〇〇b by a connecting rod 156 so as to be rotatable toward the bottom 1〇2 in the direction of the arrow 152b. According to a crate having a structure as shown in Fig. 6, it is necessary to fold the side walls 108a and 108b in the correct order to ensure a minimum volume of the folded crate. Figure 7 shows one of the correct and incorrect folding of the crate shown in Figure 6. According to the crate shown in Fig. 6, when it is to be properly folded, the side wall l8b must be folded down first to be adjacent to the bottom 102. The second wall 108a will be folded down. When this correct sequence is followed, the outer surface of the side wall 108a will substantially be at the same level as the upper surfaces 158a and 158b of the projections 1〇2 & and 102b exit the bottom 1〇2. The side walls 108a and 108b are arranged such that their lower surfaces 丨5, such as 丨5, are adjacent to the inner side walls of the projections 102a and 102b. As can be seen from Figure 7(a), adherence to this correct folding sequence results in a folded crate with the smallest volume. However, when the folding order described in relation to Fig. 7(a) is not maintained, the result as shown in Fig. 7(b) will be reached. As can be seen, when the side wall 108(a) is first folded down, it will be arranged such that only its front or upper portion is adjacent to the bottom 102, and the second surface 10b is attached to the 坌-force in a manner On the surface 10a, at least a portion of the outer wall of the second side wall 108b is raised above the level of the upper surfaces 158a and 158b of the protrusions 102a and 102b. 201221428 Therefore, it is impossible to stack the folded crates because the entire stack will become unstable. Therefore, one conventional solution to this problem is to have the projections 102a and 102b have a height that does not dry the folding order of the side walls 108a and 108b such that the top level of the lower folded side walls is substantially Corresponding to the height of the upper surfaces of the projections 102a and 102b. This will solve the problem of potentially unstable stacking of the folded crates, but at the same time it will reduce the number of folded crates that can be stacked because the minimum volume of the lower crates will increase. In light of the investigation by the inventors of the present invention, it has been found that this increase in minimum volume may reduce the total amount of crate that can be transported on a conventional pallet by up to 15%, resulting in increased shipping costs. It is not good. Thus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the hinge structure of the crates will be modified in a manner that will be described in more detail below. Fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 6, but showing the modified hinge structure. Again, the base 102 and the projections 102a and 102b and the side walls i 8a and 8B are shown. In the protrusions 〇2a and 102b, the hinge keys 15〇0〇15〇b are provided by & but the hinges are movably provided at the protrusions 〇2a and 102b. In one of the grooves, and connected to the respective side walls 10a and 8b by their respective rods 16〇a, 16〇b» in the state shown in Fig. 8, the side walls are folded up And in the vertical position, their lower surfaces are adjacent to the upper surfaces of the protrusions. The position of the hinge 150b is substantially the same as the hinge position in Fig. 6, but the position of the hinge 15 is at the same level as the hinge 15, and in Fig. 6, the two hinges are at different levels. At the office. When the crate as shown in Fig. 8 is to be folded, it is irrelevant whether or not 19 201221428 first folds the side wall 10a and then deflates the side wall 108b, or vice versa. Fig. 9 shows the case when the crate of Fig. 8 is folded down, which can fold the side wall 108b first or the side wall 108a first. As can be seen in Figure 9(a), the second side wall 108b is folded first so that it will be aligned adjacent to the bottom 102. In this case, the hinge 150b will substantially remain in the position as shown in Fig. 8, and a gap between the lower surface of the side wall 10b and the inner side wall of the projection 102b is determined by the rod. The length of 160b is determined. On the other hand, the hinge a 〇a will be moved from the position shown in Fig. 8 to an upward position, and the first side wall 108a is allowed to be placed on the second side wall 10b to make the side wall (7) The level of the surface substantially corresponds to the upper surfaces of the projections 102a and 102b. Fig. 9(b) shows a similar arrangement, but the first side wall 1〇8a is first folded down to keep a hinge 150a in the position as in Fig. 8. As explained in relation to Fig. 7(a) 'in this example' the hinge 150b of the second side wall 1〇8b is allowed to move upward, so in this example the outer surface of the side wall 1 is substantially Corresponding to the level of the upper surface of one of the protrusions 1〇2a and i〇2b. By allowing individual keystrokes to be moved, the situation as shown in Figure 7(b) can be avoided, as can be seen in Figure 9(b). Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is not necessary to increase the height of the protruding portions, and according to the arrangement of the embodiment of the present invention, the upper level of the lower folded side walls is substantially constant with the protruding portions 102a and i. The upper surface of the crucible 2b is the same, regardless of whether the first side wall 108a or the second side wall 1〇8b is first folded down. By avoiding the increase in the height of the projections, the overall number of folded crate that can be simultaneously transported on a pallet can be increased, so that the transport of the lower folding crates is more efficient than conventional methods. . 20 201221428 In Figures 6 to 9, the cross-sectional view of the crate is shown without the end walls. However, please note that the end walls must also be folded to obtain a folded-out crate, and according to an embodiment, the end walls are first folded down so that the side walls are adjacent to the bottom after being folded down. However, it is at least partially placed on the end walls of the lower folds. There may be other embodiments in which the end wall systems are only folded down after the side walls are folded down, and in this case, the principle of the embodiment of the invention relates to the second state. The same can be applied. Third Aspect - "Latch/Latch Release Mechanism" Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in accordance with a third aspect of the embodiment. Conventional foldable crates do not have separate latching mechanisms that provide a latching action to secure the end walls and side walls in a vertical position. One example of such a latching mechanism provides a pair of movable latches in the end wall of a foldable crate that, in the vertical position, engages the respective latches disposed in adjacent side walls element. Of course, the respective latch and latch receiving members can also be provided in other ways, i.e., the latches can be disposed in the side walls, and the latch receiving members can be disposed in the end walls. Fig. 10 shows a first example of a conventional latch mechanism. In the 10th (a) diagram, the crate 10 shows that the first side wall 106a has a plurality of venting openings 110. By the end wall hinges 170a and 170b, the end wall 106a is rotatably pivotally mounted to the base 102 to allow the end wall 10a to be rotated toward the bottom when folded down. Again, the side walls 10a and 108b are also shown. In the portion above the grip hole 112a, the upper portion 172 of the side wall 16a is shown to be reinforced so as to ensure sufficient rigidity and strength when the crate is carried, and the grip hole 112a The rupture of the upper part above is avoided. Further, two latch mechanisms 17 such as 21 201221428 and 174b are provided in the end wall. An example of the latch mechanism 174a is shown in an enlarged view. In this example, a latch 176 is received in one of the recesses 178 in the end wall 106a. The latch 176 is A spring member 180, also disposed in the recess 178, is biased in an outward direction. A recess 182 is provided in the side wall 108a for receiving the latch 176 such that the side wall and the end wall are A latch can be achieved. To release the latch mechanism, a suitable actuating element can be placed in the latch mechanism 174a that allows the latch 176 to move inwardly, i.e., away from the side wall. The direction of 8a causes the latch 176 to engage or disengage the latch member 184 disposed in the recess 182. When a latch is released, the end wall can be folded down to the On the bottom, and then the side wall can also be folded down. Figure 11 shows another example of a conventional latch mechanism. In the first (similar to the setting shown in Figure 10(a) It is shown that only the latch mechanism is implemented differently. The latch mechanism includes a lift lever 186 that can be moved vertically as indicated by arrow 188. Figure 11(b) An enlarged view of the latch mechanism according to the present example. As can be seen, the outer end of the lift lever 186 is provided with a hook 190 or a latch which is received by the side wall 1〇8(a). The latch 182 is engaged with the latch abutting member 184. The lift lever 186 is biased downwardly, so that when the side walls and the end wall are in the vertical position, the hook will be forced against The element 184 towel, (4) securely hits the side wall and the end wall of the material. When the side walls and the end wall are released, the lifting rod is lifted upwards, and the hook is released from the element m and allowed The end (4) can be moved downward or rotated to the bottom. Although the buckle mechanism can be operated smoothly, the wall can provide a firm lock when the wall is in a vertical state of 22 201221428, but There is a disadvantage in that the latching mechanisms may be released in the case where a plurality of crates are stacked one on another. This causes the aforementioned problems. For example, when stacked on a raft, due to the crates One of the shock or improper operation, the latch mechanism of one or more of the crate may be released, for example The latching elements move in their release direction due to a shock. This may result in a situation in which one or more of the crates in a stack have unsecured walls and the stack is The structural integrity is at risk, and one or more of the crate may collapse, so other crate stacked on top of it will also fall. To avoid such a situation, the present invention is based on the third state. Such an embodiment provides a novel latching mechanism that will be described hereinafter with reference to Figure 12. Figure 12 shows a locking mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The mechanism shown in Figure 12 is similar. As shown in Fig. 11(a), except that the lift lever 186 is configured such that at least a portion of the latch and the 186b must be moved to extend the latch or lock. Above or above the height of the crate. In this example, the latch mechanism as shown in Fig. 12 can be similar to that shown in the 11th (b)® towel except that it is disposed adjacent to the end wall and the upper edge of the sidewall. Figure 12(4) shows the strip (4) and the lifter 186 in the unlocked position, and as can be seen, the part of the wrist and the secret extend above the secret _ upper edge - turn d. This is the simple lock/amount of these crates. However, the 'Language mechanism must be moved higher than the height of the crate to be released. This avoids the problem of stacking a large number of crates above and below each other. Figure 13 is a side elevational view of a crates having a new Rexon 23 201221428 buckle mechanism in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13(a) shows the crate having the latch mechanism Blocking the side wall from moving toward the end wall, and Figure 13(b) illustrates the latching mechanism in the released position. More specifically, in accordance with the embodiment of Figure 13, as in other embodiments, the strip The crate includes a bottom 102 and the end wall 106a. Note that the opposite end walls 16b also have the same structure as shown in Fig. 13(a). Again, the two side walls l8a and 108b are also In the corner portion of the crate, each of the side walls 10a and 108b includes a protrusion 190a and 190b having a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the end wall 106a. The protrusions 190a and 190b may include A plurality of slits 192 are provided to receive a projection disposed on the front surface of the side wall 106a for increasing the stability of the connection between the side wall and the end wall. The lift mechanism 186 is formed by an arcuate member. Formed with the ends 186a and 186b, etc., in the locked position, flush with the upper edge of one of the crate. The two pins 194a and 194b extend through the slots 196a and 196b extending in a vertical direction and disposed in the end wall 1 〇 6a toward the inside of the crate. With the pins 194 and slots 196, a limited movement of the lift mechanism 186 in one of the vertical directions is achievable, and unnecessary movement in a lateral direction is avoided. Further, the lift mechanism includes the magazine elements 198a and 198b, etc. One end is connected to the mechanism 1〇6 and the other end is abutted against the lower surface of the upper strip 199 of the side wall or side wall 106a. The spring elements 198 abut against the upper strip 199' without being fixed to it, but are implemented In the example, a connection to one of the upper strips 199 may also be provided. The elements 198 are formed of the same material as the lifter and the crate, such as a plastic material. The modified embodiment may also be used by a Other spring elements formed of different materials such as metal or the like. These elements 198 bias the lift rod 196 to a position as shown in Fig. 13(a) of Fig. 13(a). The lift mechanism 186 can be seen in its release position ^ as the lift lever 108 The biasing force against the spring elements 19 and 19013 is moved to a position that is closer to the upper strip 199 than the locked position shown in the <13> Figure. Moving the mechanism 186 in this direction causes such a The offset of element 198 is such that when the lift mechanism 186 is released, it is pushed back to the position shown in Figure 13(a), as can be seen from Figure 13(b). The elevation causes the ends 186a and 186b to rise, causing the elements 186a and 186b to be disengaged from the respective locking pins 187a and 187b provided on the upper surface of one of the projections 192a and 192b, which are The element 18 is abutted against a respective one of the openings or recesses of the 18615 for interlocking the end wall and the side walls. In the position shown in Fig. 13(b), the locking mechanism is released to allow the end wall to be folded down on the bottom, and then the side walls can be folded downward toward the bottom. As can be seen from Figure 13(b), as with the embodiment described in relation to Figure 12, the elements 186a and 186b are also moved above the upper edge of the crate, thus when one or more other When the crate is stacked on top of the crate shown in the second (1) diagram, the mechanism 186 will not be actuated to enter the position shown in the 13(1}). Another advantage of the solution described with respect to the locking mechanism in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is that it is not necessary to provide an expensive material to form the resilient members 198a and 198b, and in accordance with the embodiments, the entire strip is formed The same material of the crate can also be used, for example, the same plastic material. The traditional 25 201221428 method is subject to the disadvantage that the same material is used to form the crates and the magazines, such as plastic materials. During the life of the crate, the spring member (whose material is the one that forms the crate) may lose all or some of its impurities. In this case, the force of the lifting mechanism to maintain/bias the position of the lifting mechanism at the position shown in Fig. 13(a) will be lost or reduced. This will increase the risk of release switching, even if a small force is applied to the crate. These problems can be avoided in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, provided that the crate is placed in a stack and other crate is on top (as would be the case if the full crate is shipped) Maintaining the lift lever in the locked position can be achieved not only by the biasing force introduced downward, but also because the structure requires the lifter bar to extend above the upper edge to release the latch. Therefore, even if the elastic member may lose its elastic properties, an improper release of the mechanism may be avoided because the lift bar is not moved to the upper edge of the crate in the stack. Above, it does not allow the locking mechanism to be released. Fig. 14 shows an example in which two crate boxes 1 and 1 are stacked on top of each other. As can be seen from Fig. 14, the lift lever 106 in the crate 100 is stacked due to the stacking. The movement will no longer be possible because the other one of the crates is arranged above the crates 100. Therefore, the crate 1 cannot be unlocked' and the above problems are avoided. Although Figures 12 to 14 depict embodiments of the present invention using a lifter, it is noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. Other latching or locking elements can also be used that permit the release of a latch and a latching abutment member and the individual components can be configured to assume an unlocked position 26 201221428 # At least part of the movement of the mechanism is higher than the height. For example, instead of using the ascending #' rotatable element can be placed at both ends of the end wall, being turned down, but when the flash is released, then the elements must be turned up to make it At least a portion extends beyond the upper edge of the crate, and the same effect as just described is achieved when a plurality of slats are stacked one above the other. Although the second embodiment of the flash button mechanism or the locking mechanism is provided on the end wall, please note that the present invention is not in the embodiment, and the lift lever or other movable buckle member is also Can be attacked on the (four) towel, and the material end wall can be provided with a separate buckle attachment component. Fourth Aspect - "Coolant Inlet" Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in accordance with an embodiment of a fourth aspect. The conventional crate described in 刖 is only provided with a vent hole 1 1 〇 or the like to allow air to circulate through the crate. However, for various reasons, such as to rapidly cool the contents of the interior of the crate, or to maintain a vegetable such as lettuce or the like at a predetermined temperature, it may be necessary to also supply a cooling liquid, preferably Cold water enters the interior of the crate. Since the coolant, such as ice water, may also contain small ice particles, it is impossible to inject a required amount of coolant through the pores 110 shown in FIG. 2, and use ice water having individual fine particles therein or The analog will cause clogging of the pores, so that the coolant is not allowed to be completely injected into the interior. According to an embodiment of the fourth aspect of the present invention, a crate may be provided with one or more inlets to allow the coolant to be injected into the interior of the crate, wherein the one or more The size of the entrance ensures that the cold 27 201221428 can be injected as needed. Figure 15 is a side elevational view of a crate according to an embodiment of the fourth aspect of the present invention. Fig. 15 shows a side wall 108a similar to that shown in Fig. 2. The side wall i 8a includes the hardened member 116, the vent hole 11 , and the like. Further, three inlets 200a to 200c are provided, wherein the first inlet 200a is disposed adjacent to the hardened member 116 at the upper left corner of the side wall 10a. In a similar manner, the second inlet 200b is provided at the upper right corner of the side wall i〇ga. The third inlet 200c is disposed at a central position of the side wall i〇8a adjacent to or adjacent to the lower edge 124 of the side wall 108a. Fig. 16 shows a similar arrangement as that of Fig. 15, except that the side wall 1〇8a has a structure as shown in Fig. 4. The hardening member 116 has two n-shaped portions and a U-shaped portion interposed therebetween, and the inlets 2〇〇 & and 2〇〇b are disposed at the upper end of the n-shaped portion of the hardening member 116. The lower edge 124 of the side wall 1 〇 8 & The third inlet 2〇〇c is provided in the hardened member 丨. The bottom of the shaped portion is adjacent to the lower edge 124 of the side wall 108a. The inlet 2〇〇 as shown in Figures 13 and 14 The setting of a~2〇〇c may be advantageous 'because the inlets 200a and 200b may be larger than the inlet 200c, and the quilt 3 is sinful to the hardened members, and the side walls are prevented from being provided with the same size An entrance that is larger than the vent hole results in a reduction in the integrity of any structure. According to the embodiment 'the one or more inlets 2〇〇a~2〇〇c are provided with a grid having a mesh size that will be formulated to The fine particles present in the cooling liquid can pass through the mesh without blocking the inlet. Although Figures 15 and 16 show that the embodiment of the fourth aspect of the present invention has three inlets, please note that the present invention does not The arrangement is limited to this setting, and the number of such entries is optionally selected from 28 201221428, for example only one or two entries may be provided, or more than three entries. Again, in accordance with the practice of the present invention For example, the inlets may alternatively or additionally be provided on the end walls. Embodiments of the fourth aspect of the invention are capable of ensuring that sufficient cooling liquid, such as ice water, can be injected into the interior of the crate, even when the crate is stacked on a pallet, for example, when When the casks are stacked on a European-style pallet, the three slats are arranged side by side in two rows so that their side walls are adjacent. Therefore, the side walls of the crate in the center of the stack will abut. On the respective side walls of each of the outer crate, when a sufficient liquid is applied to the outer crate, it will also pass to the inside of the crate due to the large entrances. The five-drop configuration is also the same, so it can be used in the United States' and as shown in Figure 3. The crates 100a-100c are arranged such that their side walls are adjacent, allowing the coolant to be Inflow as described above. In the case of the other two crate 100c 100 100e, the coolant can be simply injected through the side walls facing the outside of the stack. Therefore, the fourth state of the present invention Example 'Because there is an inlet according to an embodiment of the invention, a sufficient However, the liquid flow is ensured. In the above description of the invention, various embodiments of a different form of the crate are separately described. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to only containing the four aspects. A crate of one, and an embodiment of the present invention is also directed to a crate containing one or more or all of the above aspects. In other words, an embodiment of the present invention may provide a crate comprising The hardened member of the aspect, and the movable hinge according to the second aspect, and the latching mechanism according to the third aspect, and the coolant inlet according to the fourth aspect, etc. 29 201221428 or more. The embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. It will be appreciated that modifications and variations of the described arrangements and details will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a crates; Fig. 2 is a side view of a crates of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a stack of strips provided by a five-drop configuration A schematic representation of one of the layers of the crate. Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a side wall of a crate having a -modified hardened member; Figures 5(a) to (c) illustrate different configurations of the modified hardened member of Fig. 4; The figure shows a cross-sectional view of one of the crates taken at a central position of the crate shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 7 shows that one of the crate shown in Fig. 6 is correct (Fig. 7(4)) An incorrect (Fig. 7(b)) folding mode; Fig. 8 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 6 showing a modified hinge structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; The case where the crate of Fig. 8 is first folded by the side wall 1 (Fig. 9(a)) or the side wall l8a is folded first (Fig. 9(b)); Fig. 10 shows An example of a conventional latch mechanism is shown in FIG. 1(4) which shows a side wall of the crates, and FIG. 10(b) shows an example of the latch 30 201221428 in an enlarged view; FIG. Another example of a conventional flash button mechanism is shown, wherein the 11th (a) diagram shows a latch mechanism similar to the setting in FIG. 10(a) and the latch mechanism according to the present example. An enlarged view; the 12th icon A locking mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention; illustrates a first crate 13 of FIG. 12 is a lever which ascend in the unlocked position;. 14 illustrates two crates stacked on top of each other - for example;
箱的側視圖；及Side view of the box; and
有一如第4圖中所示的結構。 【主要元件符號說明】 100…條板箱 102...底 102a、b，190a、b...突出部 104，110，112a、b…開孔 106a…第一端壁 106b·.·第二端壁 108a、b...侧壁 114a、b L 緣 122.. .上緣 124…下緣 126a...第一部份 126b·..第二部份 126c、d···垂直部份 126e..·下部份 126f、g...上部份 128.. . U形部份 116，126…硬化構件 116a...空穴 118...第一侧緣 120…第二側緣 150a、b，170a、b..鉸鏈 152a、b…旋轉方向 154a、b...下表面 156...連接桿 31 201221428 158a、b____L表面 160a、b…延伸桿 172.. .上部 174a、b...閂扣機構 176…閂扣 178、182...凹槽 180、198a、b...彈簧 184.. .閂扣承接元件 186.. .揚升桿 186a、b...端部 187a、b...鎖銷 188.. .移動方向 190.. .扣釣 192.. .缝隙 194a、b...銷 196a、b...槽孔 199.. .上條 200a、b、c...入口 d...升高距離 32There is a structure as shown in Fig. 4. [Main component symbol description] 100... Crate 102... bottom 102a, b, 190a, b... protrusions 104, 110, 112a, b... opening 106a... first end wall 106b·.·second End wall 108a, b... side wall 114a, b L edge 122.. upper edge 124... lower edge 126a... first portion 126b.. second portion 126c, d··· vertical portion 126e..·lower portion 126f, g... upper portion 128.. U-shaped portion 116, 126...hardened member 116a...hole 118...first side edge 120...second side edge 150a, b, 170a, b. hinge 152a, b... rotation direction 154a, b... lower surface 156... connecting rod 31 201221428 158a, b____L surface 160a, b... extension rod 172.. upper portion 174a, b ... latching mechanism 176... latch 178, 182... recess 180, 198a, b... spring 184.. latch receiving element 186.. lifter 186a, b... end 187a, b... lock pin 188.. . moving direction 190.. . buckle fishing 192.. slit 194a, b... pin 196a, b... slot 199.. . top strip 200a, b, c ...inlet d...height distance 32