WO2009058003A2

WO2009058003A2 - Collapsible container

Info

Publication number: WO2009058003A2
Application number: PCT/NL2008/000244
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wouter Johannes Leedekerken
Original assignee: Van De Wetering, Jaap, Arie; Ter Meulen, Robbert, Hendrik
Priority date: 2007-10-30
Filing date: 2008-10-30
Publication date: 2009-05-07
Also published as: NL1034605C2; EP2214968A2; WO2009058003A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a collapsible container (2) for transporting goods (9), comprising a number of wall parts (4) which, at least in an erected position, are connected by means of connecting means (5,6) so as to enclose a space (7), wherein at least one of the wall parts forms a bottom wall (8) on which the goods can be placed, and which in a collapsed position (3) lie substantially parallel to each other, wherein at least one of the connecting means comprises a hinge connecting two of the wall parts hingedly relative to each other, and wherein the hinge comprises two form-retaining profiles, wherein each profile is in engagement with one of the wall parts, and a flexible connecting element which hingedly connects the two profiles along the lenght thereof. The invention is distinguished in that the width of the connecting element is greater than the width of the form- retaining profiles.

Description

Collapsible container

The invention relates to a collapsible container for transporting goods, comprising a number of wall parts which, at least in an erected position, are connected by means of connecting means so as to enclose a space, wherein at least one of the wall parts forms a bottom wall on which the goods can be placed, and which in a collapsed position lie substantially parallel to each other, wherein at least one of the connecting means comprises a hinge connecting two of the wall parts hingedly relative to each other, and wherein the hinge comprises two form-retaining profiles, wherein each profile is in engagement with one of the wall parts, and a flexible connecting element which hingedly connects the two profiles along the length thereof.

Collapsible containers are for instance applied in the transport of goods between location A and location B, wherein the quantity of goods transported from location A to location B is greater than the quantity of goods transported from location B to location A. In such a situation empty containers must be transported from location B to location A. An empty, non-collapsible container takes up a considerable amount of costly transport volume. By using collapsible containers the transport volume taken up by an empty container is limited as far as possible, and the cost of transporting empty containers is thereby reduced.

Such a collapsible container is known from the publication WO 2005/100206. Disclosed in this publication is a collapsible container with wall parts which in a collapsed position lie substantially parallel, whereby in the situation where the wall parts are collapsed the container has a small volume. In addition, a number of wall parts are hingedly connected to each other in this collapsible container so that the position of two hingedly connected wall parts relative to each other in the erected position is partially retained in the collapsed position, whereby it is simpler to carry the wall parts from the collapsed position to the erected position. The wall parts in this collapsible container are hingedly connected by means of two form- retaining profiles which are each in engagement with a wall part, these profiles being connected along the length thereof by means of a flexible connecting element. A drawback of this known collapsible container is that there are only limited options for hingedly connecting wall parts to each other and also for laying these parts parallel to each other in the collapsed position. In the known collapsible container several of the wall parts must for instance be detached from the other wall parts in order to fold the collapsible container down from the erected position. These detached wall parts are less easy to position when the wall parts are moved into the erected position. The invention has for its object to obviate or at least alleviate this drawback.

The invention is distinguished for this purpose in that the width of the connecting element is greater than the width of the form-retaining profiles. This measure makes it possible to allow hingedly connected wall parts to pivot through angles of more than 180 degrees relative to each other. This has the advantage that there are more options for hingedly connecting wall parts to each other and also for laying them parallel to each other in the collapsed position. This has the advantage that the design of the collapsible container can be further optimized.

In an embodiment of the invention the hinge has a point-symmetrical cross-section. This measure makes it possible for the flexible connecting element to make a sharp bend when two wall parts lie parallel in the collapsed position, whereby the stresses in the flexible connecting element are lower. This has the advantage that two hingedly connected wall parts lie parallel to each other in the r collapsed position without the bent connecting part forcing the wall parts into a non-parallel position relative to each other. In a further embodiment hereof each of the form- retaining profiles comprises two legs in cross-section, and the flexible connecting element extends substantially in line with one of the legs.

In a further embodiment of the invention the connecting element comprises a form-retaining strip which is connected on each side thereof to one of the profiles by means of a flexible strip. This measure makes it possible for the flexible connecting element to bend at predetermined locations. This has the advantage that, when the wall parts are carried into the erected position, the desired position of the wall parts relative to each other can be realized more easily.

In a further embodiment hereof the form-retaining profiles, the form-retaining strip and the flexible strip comprise a plastic material. The use of a plastic material enables the realization of a strong, lightweight, simple and maintenance-friendly hinge.

In a further embodiment of the invention with a form-retaining strip and flexible strips as connecting element, the flexible strip comprises a material other than that of the form-retaining strip and the form-retaining profiles. This measure makes it possible to optimize the different components of the hinge for the different functions thereof. For the form-retaining components a material can thus be chosen with for instance good form- retaining properties, and for the flexible components a material can be chosen with good flexible properties.

In a further embodiment of the invention with a form-retaining strip and flexible strips as connecting element, the form-retaining profiles, the form-retaining strip and the flexible strip are formed integrally by means of a co-extrusion process. In a co-extrusion process the different components of the hinge are manufactured integrally, whereby the connection between the different components is better than would be the case if the different components were joined together at a later stage. This has the advantage that the hinge is more reliable.

In a further embodiment of the invention a part of the peripheral edge of at least one of the wall parts comprises a recess with which an adjacent wall part is in contact in the erected position. This recess makes it possible, when erecting the wall parts, to easily position relative to each other two wall parts which are not hingedly connected and which lie adjacently of each other in the erected position. This has the advantage that the container can be quickly erected. Known from the publication WO 2005/100206 is a so-called chair profile which helps to position two wall parts relative to each other. A drawback of such a chair profile is however that this profile can become detached from the wall part in the collapsed position. This is precluded with the recess according to the invention. In a further embodiment hereof the recess forms a leg oriented at an angle relative to the surface of the wall part. This measure enables a good fitting together of wall parts not hingedly connected to each other at different angles of the wall parts relative to each other. In a further embodiment hereof the angle is substantially four degrees. This angle of four degrees is found to produce good results when the wall parts are at different angles relative to each other.

In a further embodiment of the invention there is arranged on a part of the peripheral edge of at least one of the wall parts an angle profile with which an adjacent wall part is in contact in the erected position. This measure makes it possible to hold wall parts, which are non-hingedly connected and lie adjacently of each other in the erected position, in the desired position relative to each other. This has the advantage that in erected position the container is better able to withstand forces acting on the wall parts.

In a further embodiment of the invention at least one of the two wall parts connected by means of the hinge forms in the erected position a door with which the space can be closed off. This measure makes it possible for the space in the collapsible container to be closed off so that the goods placed in the space are protected against outside influences. In a further embodiment hereof a water barrier element against which the door lies in closed position is arranged on at least the bottom wall. This measure makes it possible that, when the door is opened, no water can enter the space in which the goods are placed. In a further embodiment of the invention all the wall parts are hingedly connected to each other. This measure makes it possible for the collapsible container to have no detached wall parts in the collapsed position. This has the advantage that no wall parts can be lost, whereby the collapsible container would become unusable.

In a further embodiment of the invention the bottom wall comprises a channel which can be engaged by a transport means. The fork of a forklift truck can for instance be inserted into this channel to enable lifting of the collapsible container. In a further embodiment hereof the channel is collapsible. These channels can be collapsed in the collapsed position of the wall parts so that the collapsed container then has a smaller volume. In a further embodiment hereof the collapsible channel comprises a bracket connected hingedly to the bottom wall. This measure makes it possible for a robust engagement point to be folded up in simple manner. In a further embodiment of the invention the bottom wall is connected non-releasably to an aircraft pallet. This measure enables the collapsible container to be made suitable as air freight container in simple manner.

In a further embodiment of the invention the bottom wall comprises an aircraft pallet. In this embodiment the pallet is integrated into the bottom wall. This measure makes it possible for instance to save weight.

In a further embodiment of the invention at least one of the walls comprises a fixation opening. This measure . makes it possible to fix the goods placed in the space enclosed by the wall parts to a fixation point located outside the wall parts. A tensioning belt can for instance be placed through the fixation opening, coupled outside the collapsible container to for instance an aircraft pallet and tightened over the goods placed in the collapsible container so that the goods are fixed on the aircraft pallet.

In a further embodiment of the invention the wall parts are built up of layers. This measure makes it possible to realize a wall part with optimum properties, since differing layers can have a differing function.

In a further embodiment hereof one of the layers comprises a plastic material. This measure makes it possible to realize a lightweight and strong wall part. In a further embodiment hereof the plastic layer is reinforced by means of fibres.

In a further embodiment hereof both the plastic layer and the fibres are of polypropylene. This measure makes it possible to realize a wall part with a light, wear- resistant, strong, corrosion-resistant outer layer. This has the advantage that the collapsible container is very suitable for use as for instance air freight container. A suitable material with these properties is known under the name CURV from the company Propex.

In a further embodiment of the invention wherein the wall parts are built up of layers, one of the layers has a honeycomb structure. This measure makes it possible to realize a thicker wall part without causing a considerable increase in the weight of the wall part.

The present invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of an exemplary embodiment as shown in the accompanying figures. This is a non-limitative exemplary embodiment. In the figures: - fig. 1 is a perspective view of a part of a body of an aircraft having therein an embodiment of a collapsible container according to the invention in both the erected and collapsed position of the wall parts;

- fig. 2A-2F show perspective views of different successive stages in the collapsing of an embodiment of the collapsible container according to the invention;

- fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a hinge according to the invention;

- fig. 4A-4E show cross-sectional views of two hingedly connected wall parts in different pivoted positions;

- fig. 5A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a collapsible container according to the invention; - fig. 5B is a perspective view of the collapsible container of figure 5A from another viewpoint;

- fig. 6 is a detail sectional view according to arrow VI in figure 5B; - fig. 7 is a detail sectional view according to arrow VII in figure 5A;

- fig. 8 is a detail cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the collapsible container according to the invention with a door/ - fig. 9 is a detail sectional view of an alternative to the embodiment of figure 7 ;

- fig. 1OA shows a sectional side view of a bottom wall having therein two channels which can be engaged by a transport means; - fig. 1OB shows a top view of the bottom wall of figure 1OA;

- fig. HA -is a perspective view of a bottom wall with a collapsible channel according to the invention in the upward folded position thereof; - fig. HB is a perspective view of the collapsible channel of figure HA in the collapsed position thereof.

Figure 1 shows a part of an aircraft body 1 having therein an erected collapsible container 2 and a stack of collapsed collapsible containers 3. The erected container 2 consists of a number of wall parts 4 which are connected by means of strips of velcro 5 and hinges 6, not shown in detail, as connecting means so as to enclose a space 7 with a bottom wall 8 on which goods 9 are placed. The erected container 2 stands on an aircraft pallet 10. Goods 9 are fixed onto aircraft pallet 10 by means of tensioning belts 11. These tensioning belts 11 are guided for this purpose through fixation opening 12. The stack of collapsed containers 3 are also fixed onto an aircraft pallet 10 by means of tensioning belts 11.

Arranged in erected container 2 in one of the wall parts is a window 13 through which goods 9 can be visually inspected without opening erected container 2. In the case of collapsed containers 3 the wall parts 4 lie substantially parallel to each other. The shown stack of eight collapsed^' containers 3 takes up less space than erected container 2. Figures 2A-2F show different stages of the collapsing of erected container 2. Figure 2A shows that, relative to the situation as shown in figure 1, wall parts 4a and 4b have been pivoted by means of hinge 6a through an angle of 270 degrees. Figure 2B shows that wall parts 4c and 4d have also been pivoted by means of hinge βb through an angle of 270 degrees. Wall parts 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d are not detached from the other wall parts. Figure 2C shows that wall parts 4a, 4b, 4e and 4f have been pivoted substantially parallel to bottom wall 4g by means of hinge 6c. Wall parts 4e and 4f have here been released from wall parts 4h, 4i and 4j. Figure 2D shows that wall parts 4c, 4d, 4k and 41 have been pivoted by means of a hinge 6d relative to bottom wall 4g. Wall parts 4k and 41 have here been released from wall parts 4h, 4i and 4j. Figure 2E shows that wall part 4h has been placed substantially parallel to wall part 4i by means of hinge 6e, and wall parts 4h, 4i and 4j have been pivoted relative to bottom wall 4g by means of hinge 6f . Figure 2F shows the collapsed container 3.

Figures 2A-2F show that each of the wall parts is hingedly connected to at least one of the other wall parts, whereby no wall parts can be lost.

Figure 3 shows hinge 6. Hinge 6 has two form- retaining profiles 14 and 15. Hinge 6 has a point- symmetrical cross-section relative to point A. The form- retaining profiles each have two legs 14a, 14b, 15a and 15b. Extending in the line of legs 14b and 15b is a flexible connecting element 16. The connecting element consists of a form-retaining strip 17 which is connected on one side thereof to profile 14 by means of a flexible strip 18, and is connected on the other side thereof to profile 15 by means of a flexible strip 19. The width B of connecting element 16 is greater than the width C of form-retaining profiles 14 and 15. Figures 4A-4E show wall parts 4m and 4n hingedly connected by means of hinge 6 in different pivoted positions. Profile 14 of hinge 6 is in engagement with wall part 4m and profile 15 with wall part 4n. Wall parts 4m and 4n are hingedly connected by means of the flexible connecting element 16 which hingedly connects the two profiles 14 and 15. Because width B of connecting element 16 is greater than width C of form-retaining profiles 14 and 15, it is possible for wall part 4m to pivot through an angle of 360 degrees relative to wall part 4n. This is shown in figures 4A-4E. Owing to the presence of form-retaining strip 17 the flexible connecting element 16 pivots only at the position of flexible strip 18 or flexible strip 19, depending on the position of wall part 4m relative to wall part 4n. Figures 5A and 5B show the erected container 2. Wall parts 4a and 4b are hingedly connected by means of hinge 6g, whereby in the erected situation wall part 4b forms a door with which the space enclosed by the wall parts can be opened and closed. Erected container 2 is further shown with fixation openings 12 and with a document holder 20 in which for instance air waybills can be held. Erected container 2 has two channel openings 21 which provide access to two channels which can be engaged by a transport means, such as for instance a forklift truck. These channels are shown in different embodiments in figures 1OA, 1OB, HA and HB. Arranged on a part of the peripheral edge of wall part 4j is an angle profile 22 with which the adjacent wall part 4e is in contact in the erected position. This is shown in detail in figure 6. Angle profile 22 will for instance prevent a force in the direction of arrow D displacing wall part 4e relative to wall part 4j . Realized along a part of the peripheral edge of wall part 4i is a recess 23 with which the adjacent wall part 4f is in contact in the erected position. During erecting of the wall parts this recess 23 helps to mutually position in simple manner the two wall parts 4i and 4f which are mutually adjacent in the erected position and which are not hingedly connected. The recess is integrated into wall part 4a and cannot detach from this wall part. Wall part 4i consists of two outer layers 24 and 25 of for instance a fibre-reinforced plastic. Shown between outer layers 24 and 25 is a core layer 26 with for instance a honeycomb structure. In the production of wall part 4i a part of core layer 26 is cut away and outer layer 25 is arranged against outer layer 24, thereby realizing recess 23 with leg 27 adjacent thereto. Leg 27 is here placed by means of for instance a mould at an angle E of substantially four degrees relative to the surface of wall part 4a. At different angles F of wall parts relative to each other the angle E of substantially four degrees enables a good fitting together of wall parts not hingedly connected to each other.

Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional detail of erected container 2 at the position of the connection of the door- forming wall part 4b to bottom wall 4g. In figure 8 the erected container 2 is placed with bottom wall 4g on an aircraft pallet 10. Bottom wall 4g can here be placed loosely on aircraft pallet 10, but can also be connected non-releasably thereto, for instance by means of an adhesive or a weld, so that aircraft pallet 10 and bottom wall 4g form one whole. It could even be possible for the aircraft pallet to be integrated into bottom wall 4g. This would mean for instance that a pallet edge is arranged around bottom wall 4g.

The door-forming wall part 4b does not extend as far as bottom wall 4g, so that the door-forming wall part 4b does not come into contact with the edge of aircraft pallet 10 when opened. In order to prevent liquids such as water entering space 7 via the gap between wall part 4b and bottom wall 4g when the door is closed, a water barrier element 28, against which wall part 4b lies in the closed position, is arranged on the bottom wall. Also arranged on wall part 4b is a flexible strip of material 29 which serves for instance to protect against the entry of rain.

Figure 9 shows an alternative to the recess 23 of figure 7. Recess 23 is integrated into wall part 4i and cannot detach from this wall part. Wall part 4i consists of two outer layers 24 and 25 of for instance a fibre- reinforced plastic. A core layer 26 with for instance a honeycomb structure is shown between outer layers 24 and 25. In order to protect core layer 26 a protective profile 30 can be arranged on the end thereof. Figures 1OA and 1OB show bottom wall 4g having therein two channels 31 which can be engaged by a transport means (not shown) , such as for instance a forklift truck. Channels 31 consist of a tubular profile 31a extending from the rear side E of the collapsible container to a position close to water barrier element 28. Tubular profile 31a is shown with a first flange 31b and a second flange 31c which extend some distance on both sides of tubular profile 31a parallel to bottom wall 4g. First flange 31b and second flange 31c engage on bottom wall 4g. In order to obtain a flat underside of bottom wall 4g an additional wall part 32 having therein a recess for second flange 31c is arranged on the underside of bottom wall 4g. Figures HA and HB show bottom wall 4g with a collapsible channel 33. In figure HA the collapsible channel 33 is shown in the erect position thereof and in figure HB in the collapsed position thereof. The collapsible channel 33 is shown with channel walls 33a, 33b and 33c. Channel walls 33a, 33b and 33c are hingedly connected to each other ^' and to bottom wall 4g by means of hinges 6h, 6i and 6j . In the upward folded position of channel 33 the channel walls 33a, 33b and 33c are placed substantially perpendicularly of each other around collapsible brackets 34. Collapsible brackets 34 here fit into channel wall recesses 35 so that brackets 34 remain standing in the erect position thereof. In the collapsed position of channel 33 the channel walls 33a, 33b and 33c lie substantially mutually in line and parallel to bottom wall 4g. In the collapsed position the collapsible brackets 34 lie in a recess in bottom wall 4g. In order to strengthen bottom wall 4g an additional wall part 32 is arranged on the underside of bottom wall 4g.

All hinges are designated in the figures with reference numeral 6. Not all of these hinges need thereby have the embodiment as shown in figure 3. It may thus be that only the hinges mutually connecting wall parts which must be able to pivot for instance more than 180 degrees relative to each are embodied as shown in figure 3. The collapsible container is shown in the figures as top deck air freight container. The collapsible container can however also take a different form in erected position, for instance that of an under deck air freight container, or a container suitable for transport with a truck or other means of transport.

Claims

1. Collapsible container for transporting goods, comprising a number of wall parts which, at least in an erected position, are connected by means of connecting means so as to enclose a space, wherein at least one of the wall parts forms a bottom wall on which the goods can be placed, and which in a collapsed position lie substantially parallel to each other; wherein at least one of the connecting means comprises a hinge connecting two of the wall parts hingedly relative to each other; and wherein the hinge comprises:

- two form-retaining profiles, wherein each profile is in engagement with one of the wall parts; and

- a flexible connecting element which hingedly connects the two profiles along the length thereof; characterized in that the width of the connecting element is greater than the width of the form-retaining profiles.

2. Collapsible container as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the hinge has a point-symmetrical cross-section.

3. Collapsible container as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that

- each of the form-retaining profiles comprises two legs in cross-section; and

- the flexible connecting element extends substantially in line with one of the legs.

4. Collapsible container as claimed in any of the claims 1-3, characterized in that the connecting element comprises a form-retaining strip which is connected on each side thereof to one of the profiles by means of a flexible strip.

5. Collapsible container as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the form-retaining profiles, the form-retaining strip and the flexible strip comprise a plastic material.

6. Collapsible container as claimed in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the flexible strip comprises a material other than that of the form-retaining strip and the form-retaining profiles.

7. Collapsible container as claimed in any of the claims 4-6, characterized in that the form-retaining profiles, the form-retaining strip and the flexible strip are formed integrally by means of a co- extrusion process.

8. Collapsible container as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that a part of the peripheral edge of at least one of the wall parts comprises a recess with which an adjacent wall part is in contact in the erected position.

9. Collapsible container as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the recess forms a leg oriented at an angle relative to the surface of the wall part.

10. Collapsible container as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the angle is substantially four degrees.

11. Collapsible container as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that on a part of the peripheral edge of at least one of the wall parts there is arranged an angle profile with which an adjacent wall part is in contact in the erected position.

12. Collapsible container as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that at least one of the two wall parts connected by means of the hinge forms in the erected position a door with which the space can be closed off.

13. Collapsible container as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that a water barrier element against which the door lies in closed position is arranged on at least the bottom wall.

14. Collapsible container as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that each of the wall parts is hingedly connected to at least one of the other wall parts.

15. Collapsible container as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the bottom wall comprises a channel which can be engaged by a transport means.

16. Collapsible container as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the channel is collapsible.

17. Collapsible container as claimed in claim ^"16, characterized in that the collapsible channel comprises a bracket connected hingedly to the bottom wall.

18. Collapsible container as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the bottom wall is connected non-releasably to an aircraft pallet.

19. Collapsible container as claimed in any of the claims 1-17, characterized in that the bottom wall comprises an aircraft pallet.

20. Collapsible container as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that at least one of the walls comprises a fixation opening.

21. Collapsible container as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the wall parts are built up of layers.

22. Collapsible container as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that one of the layers comprises a plastic material.

23. Collapsible container as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that the plastic layer is reinforced by means of fibres.

24. Collapsible container as claimed in claim 23, characterized in that both the plastic layer and the fibres are of polypropylene.

25. Collapsible container as claimed in any of the claims 21-24, characterized in that one of the layers has a honeycomb structure.