Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02228541 2005-04-28
FOLDING CONTAINER WITH DETACHABLE LOCKABLE SIDE WALLS
This invention relates to folding containers for fruit and vegetables for
example, in particular folding containers whose walls fold inwardly onto the
container
bottom and are interconnected by snap-in elements in the erect position. Two
opposite side walls are first folded inwardly onto the container bottom
between the
other pair of side walls still standing and this other pair of opposite side
walls is then
folded in.
For transporting goods of daily life, in particular perishable foods such as
fruit,
lettuce and the like, it is a well-known procedure to use containers whose
side walls
can be folded up over the bottom. This on one hand provides sufficient volume
for
transport, while on the other hand the containers take up accordingly little
space
during empty transport, i.e. return transport. A great variety of suggestions
have
been made on how to design a suitable transport container for the
abovementioned
purposes.
An ever recurring discrepancy in the transport of perishable goods in
containers is the relationship between the lightness of the container, which
is
generally obtained by a perforated bottom and side wall structure, and
protection of
the contained goods from damage. The main danger here is that the contained
goods, e.g. bananas or the like, can be damaged from outside since e.g. in a
mixed
stack with wooden containers or wooden crates splinters can penetrate through
the
open structure of the side and bottom walls and pass infix the transported
goods,
making them unfit for sale.
A further problem of known containers is that it is frequently very difficult
to
handle the connecting mechanisms for the erect side walls of such containers.
This
is a very great problem because these folding containers are predominantly
operated
by untrained personnel, being in particular also used in private sphere. It is
often
very difficult to release the side walls from their lock-in position because
the actual
snap-in mechanism is unknown and no operating instructions are generally
provided
for such containers. The users of the folding containers therefore hurt
themselves
particularly when converting the container to the service position or the
empty
position since the scrape their hands or pinch their fingers. This problem is
not to be
underestimated because this acceptance of such folding containers depends upon
the attitude of users on the market. it is therefore very essential that
folding
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containers, while having a very stable snap-in connection, permit very simple
unlocking and conversion of the side walls to the empty position, i.e. the
return
transport position.
The problem of the invention is to provide a folding container whose folding
walls can be easily fixed in the erect position but also very simply released
and
coverted to the return transport position in which the side walls are folded
onto the
bottom. Further, damage-free transport of the contained goods should be
ensured.
This problem is solved according to the invention by snap-in elements to be
released by mere finger pressure provided for the snap-in locking on the first
side
walls to be folded inwardly, said elements engaging in the snap-in position
behind
corresponding snap-in projections from the other side walls and being disposed
or
formed in such a way that upon release of the snap-in elements by finger
pressure,
the first side walls to be folded inwardly are folded inwardly at the same
time.
Accarding to the invention the snap-in locking is effected by snap-in elements
which can be released with simple finger pressure; the side walls being
converted to
the folded position, i.e. folded onto the container bottom, with the same
finger
pressure operation at the same time as the snap-in elements are released. For
this
purpose the snap-in elements are equipped with a pressure lever which is
preferably
adapted to a finger surface, in particular the thumb surface, and is thus
immediately
recognized optically by the user as a pressure lever and as the actual
operating
surface for releasing the snap-in element. That is to say, the user will
automatically
press the lever, thereby simultaneously causing the side walls to fold into
each other
and consequently ensuring very simple handing of the container. Mere pressure
on
the lever causes the snap-in element to swivel slightly so that the snap-in
part,
preferably designed in the form of a snap-in nose, is moved or swivelled away
from
the opposite snap-in part, e.g. a snap-in projection. Further finger pressure
then
causes the side wall to be folded inwardly past this snap-in projection.
For this purpose it is expedient if the snap-in elements and thus also the
pressure levers are provided in the upper area and on the side edges of the
first side
walls to be folded inwardly.
It is expedient to give the pressure lever an elongate design and dispose it
on
one side of the link point of the snap-in element on the side wall, the snap-
in
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part formed as a snap-in nose being located opposite the lever. This results
in
very good leverage. Further, the snap-in part is disposed on the outside with
re-
spect to the snap-in projection.
The link point of the snap-in element on the side wall is expediently ap-
proximately flush with the inside surface of the side wall, the pressure lever
be-
ing shifted outward at a distance so as to ensure space for pressing the lever
in-
ward. The lever is preferably located at a distance of 10 to 15 mm from the
inside
surface of the side wall, but the lever is preferably still received within
the out-
side contour of the side wall, it being expedient to have the outside surface
of the
lever extend flush with the outside surface of the side wall. This rules out
all
danger of injury and also the interlocking of the containers with other
objects. At
the same time this arrangement protects the lever and snap-in element from
damage. If required, the snap-in element can also be formed as a separate com-
ponent so that it can be replaced in case of damage.
In the following a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described
with reference to the drawing, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a plastic folding container in the service
position, i.e. with side walls erected vertically from the container bottom,
Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the folding container shown in Fig. 1 at
the onset of conversion of the container to the return transport position in
which
the side walls are folded onto the container bottom,
Fig. 3 shows a partial view of the narrow side wall of a folding container
in the basic structure according to Figures 1 and 2, whereby for simplicity's
sake
only the right half of the narrow side wall is shown, in an outside view,
Figures 4 to 9 show partial sections according to the sectional Iines of Fig.
3,
Fig. I0 shows a view of the connecting area of a narrow and a long side wall
in a schematic representation,
Fig. 11 shows a connecting area according to Fig. 10 but showing a section at
the level of the snap-in element,
Fig. 12 shows the snap-in element for connecting the long and narrow side
walls in the erect position, and Fig. 13 a partial section through a side wall
of the
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container, likewise in a schematic representation, to show the opening areas
of
the side wall, and
Fig. 13 shows a sectional view through the container bottom.
The folding container shown in Fig. 1 serves chiefly for. transporting fruit
and vegetables and is therefore formed with openings in the side walls and con-
tainer bottom. The openings are designed in such a way that the side walls can-
not be pierced from outside and the transported goods thereby damaged. Never-
theless sufficient ventilation from outside is ensured. The design of these
side
walls is optional; in case the folding container is intended for transporting
other
goods one can also use closed side wall formations or partly open side wall
for-
mations.
According to the representation in Fig. 1 the folding container has two
opposite long side walls 1 and two opposite narrow side walls 2 which, in the
service position shown, are folded upon in the vertical position with respect
to
container bottom 3. In this position side walls 1 and 2 are locked together,
which
is effected by snap-in elements to be described more closely in the following.
Side
walls 1 and 2 are connected with container bottom 3 via strap hinges 4. When
the folding container is converted to the return transport position in which
the
four side walls are folded onto the bottom, narrow side walls 2 are first
folded
onto the bottom according to the shown embodiment and long side walls 1 then
folded onto side walls 2 already folded onto the bottom. In other embodiments
the long side walls can of course be folded in first and the narrow side walls
then
folded onto the long side walls already folded in.
In the shown embodiment, side walls 1 and 2 folded open in the vertical
position are unlocked in very simple fashion by finger pressure on pressure
lev-
ers 5 apparent from Fig. 2 which are immediately recognized by the user of the
folding container as the corresponding release elements due to their arrange-
ment and formation as finger pressure surfaces. Mere finger pressure on levers
5
expediently provided with knobs or furrows or longitudinal grooves on the out-
side surface causes the snap-in elements described more closely in the
following
to be unlocked and opposite narrow side walls 2 to be simultaneously folded
onto
container bottom 3. This is thus effected with one finger pressure motion with-
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out additional handling operations, practically automatically upon
corresponding
purposeful operation of pressure levers 5. Pressure levers 5 are disposed on
the
narrow side walls in the area of the two side edges at the top.
Fig. 3 indicates more clearly the snap-in element with pressure lever 5 in
an enlarged representation, the structure and coordination of the snap-in ele-
ments and the connecting area of the narrow and long side walls altogether be-
ing indicated in detail by Figures 4 to 9.
In particular Figures 5, 6 and 7 indicate specifically snap-in element 6
used for snap-in locking of the long and narrow side walls, which is formed
inte-
grally with corresponding narrow side wall 2 in the shown embodiment. Alter-
natively the snap-in element can also be formed as a separate component, which
in particular permits removal and replacement of a damaged snap-in element.
This embodiment is also optional.
As indicated best by Figures 5 and 6, snap-in element 6 is integrally con-
nected with narrow side wall 2 in the area of the inside surface of said wall
and
extends in this area flush with inside surface 7 of narrow side wall 2. The
con-
necting area is illustrated as 8 in Fig. 6. Link area 8 serves as a joint for
the
snap-in element, as to be described in the following. From Iink area 8 cross
bar 9
extends outward having disposed on its end both pressure lever 5 and snap-in
part 10 formed as a snap-in nose. Snap-in nose 10 protrudes from cross bar 9
toward long side wall 1 while lever 5 extends in the opposite direction. As
indi-
cated by Figures 5 to 7, in the lock-in position snap-in element 6 engages
behind
snap-in projection 11 on the long side wall protruding toward narrow side wall
6.
Snap-in projection 11 has run-on ramp 12 over which snap-in part 10 moves
when narrow side wall 2 is folded open. When run-on ramp 12 has been covered
the snap-in element springing around hinge point 8 snaps behind snap-in pro-
jection 11 so as to ensure snap-in locl~ng of side walls 1 and 2.
Pressure lever 5 has sufficient length to permit light operation of the fin-
ger in the direction of arrow F to cause snap-in nose 10 to swivel away due to
the
swivel of cross bar 9 around hinge point 8. As soon as snap-in part 10 is
swiveled
away from snap-in projection 11 by corresponding operation of lever 5, the fur-
ther finger pressure operation causes narrow side wall 2 to fold inward toward
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bottom 3 past erect long side wall 1. Narrow side wall 2 thus folds
automatically
upon operation of lever 5 at corresponding finger pressure. Obviously, the
length
of the lever is dimensioned firstly so that the snap-in element is released
upon
corresponding leverage and the side wall can secondly be easily folded inward
onto the container bottom with this finger pressure. The length of lever 5 is
in
particular adapted to average thumb size. Since the snap-in parts can be
released
simply by lightfinger pressure with the described formation and arrangement of
the lever, the elements responsible for the snap-in locking can be very rigid
and
strong, which is important for robustness and service life. Fig. 7 further
indi-
cates a suitable profiling of the pressure surface of lever 5, here resulting
from
parallel gaps 13 forming furrows or ribs 14 protruding therebetween. The
design
of the snap-in element can be seen quite clearly from the section in Figures 5
to
7 so that further descriptions are unnecessary. The design of the connecting
area
between the narrow side walls and long side walls is also indicated by the sec-
tional views in Figures 4, 8 and 9 which show the engagement and stop between
the walls. One can see that a very stable hold of side walls 1 and 2 is
ensured in
the lock-in position.
Finally Fig. 3 shows quite clearly that pressure lever 5 adapted approxi-
mately to a thumb pressure surface widens in the area of the snap-in part so
as
to ensure a sufficient snap-in surface, the snap-in noses extending on both
sides.
Due to the central arrangement of lever 5 no tilting is possible and one thus
achieves or ensures an immediate snap-in connection and simple release of the
snap-in locking. Also, lever 5 does not protrude outward from zhe remaining
outside surface of narrow side wall 2 but is received in a corresponding
recess
flush within the narrow side wall. A further advantage is that due to cross
bar 9
lever 5 is located at a distance from actual link point 8, which permits
simple and
user-friendly operation of the snap-in elements. One can see that the force ex-
erted on the lever by the finger for releasing the snap-in elements acts in
the di-
rection of the fold-in motion of the side walls.
Figures 10 and 11 show the particular ends of the long and narrow side
walls in two different sections in a slightly modified embodiment. Fig. 10
makes
clear how suitable projections or noses 15 in narrow side wall 2 engage corre-
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sponding recesses 15 in the long side wall. When noses 15 are in position
within
recesses 16, the narrow and long side walls assume a defined position relative
to
each other in the erect position, which is useful both for easily changing the
transport container for transport in the storage position and for the
stability of
the transport container in the transport position with erect side walls.
Fig. 11 shows snap-in element 6 which again has snap-in nose 10 grasping
behind corresponding snap-in projection 11 on long side wall I in the snap-in
position. Fig. 12 shows snap-in element 6 in detail, a closer description
being
unnecessary due to the representation. As one can see, snap-in nose 10 is
spring-
mounted due to link point 8 so that snap-in locking can be released by finger
pressure. In Fig. 11 number 12 again designates a slanting surface used for
the
spring deflection of the snap-in element during erection of the narrow side
wall.
The spring force can be adjusted in simple fashion during production by for ex-
ample suitable selection of the thicknesses of the bar areas, in particular
the area
in the area of Iink point 8. As one can see, the snap-in element ensures that
the
connection of the long and narrow side walls in the erect state can be
released by
mere pressure on the pressure surface of the lever without any danger of
injury
and without any need for complicated mechanisms to be activated. Mere finger
pressure on the pressure surface of the snap-in element permits the engagement
between snap-in nose and snap-in projection to be released and the narrow side
wall to be folded inward.
Fig. 1 shows a horizontal projection of the container bottom in an impene-
trable formation, whereby the side walls can also be formed accordingly. The
upper side of impenetrable bottom or wall formation 20 is formed by profile
legs
21a disposed side by side at a small distance and forming a smooth outside sur-
face which is easy to clean and conveys an esthetic, quiet external
appearance.
Through spaces 22 of adjacent profile legs 21a one can see profile legs 21b
dis-
posed on the underside of the bottom formation in Figure 13, which shows a
section through the bottom formation according to Figure 1. Profile legs 21b
are
disposed precisely in the area of spaces 22, thereby preventing a look through
and the penetration of objects through the wall formation. Spaces 22 are sepa-
rated by cross bars which are apparent from Fig. 1. These cross bars intercon-
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nect profile legs 21a and 21b in the direction of the longitudinal extension
of the
wall formation. The number of these cross strips is obviously strictly
optional.
Figure 13 again shows profile legs 21a and 21b which define the upper and
lower
superficial extension of the bottom formation and wall formation, two corre-
sponding profile legs of the upper side and underside being interconnected by
bar 21c. Legs 21a and 21b and bar 21c connecting them thus result in a profile
which is shaped in this embodiment as a Z but can also have an I, T or S
shape.
As apparent from Figure 13, the profiles disposed side by side at a small
distance
result in a structure which admits the passage of ventilation air but no
penetra-
tion of objects.
