Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Collapsible transport container
The invention relates to a collapsible transport container for containing
objects. The
invention also relates to a method for constructing and collapsing such a
transport
container.
The transport of objects takes place in both packed and non-packed state. It
is possible
here to envisage shipping packages or other loose goods by aircraft, vehicle
and/or by
ship. The objects for transporting are usually packed for this purpose in a
container
which is also referred to as a box. There exists a very wide diversity of
container forms;
the dimensions of which are sometimes optimized for a specific transport
modality. The
drawback of conventional transport containers is that they usually have a
fixed form
such that during return transport, wherein they are not filled, or are filled
less than
optimally, they take up a needlessly large transport volume.
The German Gebrauchsmuster DE 44 25 435 describes a reusable transport
container
for technical equipment in the form of a case-like box closed on all sides.
The upright
walls of the transport container are connected hingedly to each other such
that they can
be folded together to form a flat structure. The cover and the bottom can then
be pivoted
to a position parallel against the opposite sides of the folded structure.
Such a transport
container has the very significant advantage that it enables reduction of the
transport
volume of the container when it ~is not filled. Significant logistical
advantages can thus
be realized with this container. The drawback of this construction however is
that in the
folded state the transport container is not very easy to handle; the length
and width of
the folded transport container take up at least the sum of two adjoining
upright walls.
The object of the present invention is to provide an improved collapsible
container
which, while retaining the advantages of the prior art, can be collapsed to a
manageable
volume such that particularly in the collapsed state the container can be
transported
efficiently and stored efficiently.
The invention provides for this purpose a collapsible container for transport
of goods,
comprising assembled container sides consisting of a substantially flat bottom
part, a
number of side walls connected hingedly to the bottom part and at least one
top part
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connected hingedly to a side wall, wherein the container sides are
displaceable between
a collapsed position, in which the container sides lie substantially parallel
to each other,
and an active position in which the container sides enclose a storage space,
characterized in that the side walls and the top part are displaceable
relative to the
bottom part such that in a collapsed position of the container they can be
placed on the
flat bottom part. The advantage of the collapsible container according to the
present
invention is that in a collapsed position the container has maximum dimensions
which
correspond to the dimensions of the bottom part. The collapsed container can
thus be
placed without any problem at a location where a non-collapsed container can
also be
placed. In other words: the surface of a storage location or a transport
location suitable .
for containing a container in the active position is also suitable in the
construction
according to the invention for accommodating a container in the collapsed
position. The
volume of a collapsed container is of course significantly smaller than the
volume of the
same container in an active position, so that a plurality of collapsed
containers can
normally be stacked on top of each other such that they still fill a smaller
volume than a
single container in the active position. Another advantage is that the wall
parts, other
than the bottom part, can also remain clear of the ground in the collapsed
position of the
transport container, so that it is possible to prevent these wall parts being
contaminated
as a result of contact with the ground. Yet another advantage is that in the
collapsed
position the edges of the upright wall parts and the top part lie within the
periphery
defined by the edges of the bottom part, whereby the bottom part, which will
take a
relatively sturdy form, protects these edges from damage. The hinged coupling
of at
least a part of the side walls and the top part has the advantage that the
join between at
least a part of the container parts is maintained irrespective of the
situation (active,
collapsed or an intermediate position) of the container. This has the
advantage that
collapsing or constructing of the container is simple and that components are
less likely
to be lost.
In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the side walls is hingedly coupled
to the
bottom part via a profile assembled from a plurality of types of material. A
profile
assembled from a plurality of types of material is understood to mean a
profile which
can for instance be manufactured by means of coextrusion from at least two
different
materials; usually two substantially form-retaining profile parts which are
adapted (by
means of for instance a receiving space) to engage on a container side and a
flexible
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profile part connecting the form-retaining profile parts. An at least
substantially form-
retaining plastic can be chosen as form-retaining material and a rubber-like
material can
for instance be chosen as flexible material. The profile assembled from a
plurality of
types of material thus forms a hinge. Such a hinge has the advantage that the
position of
a wall part relative to a side wall is partially maintained so that a rapid
construction or a
rapid collapsing of the container is possible.
It can also be advantageous if a first container side which can be connected
releasably to
a second container side is provided with a profile part provided with a stop
surface
adapted to engage on the second container side. Such profile parts can enable
a good
and controllable connection of adjoining container sides in the active
position. When the
second container side is also provided with a profile part provided with a
stop surface
adapted to engage on the first container side such that the two profile parts
connected to
the first and second container side are dimensioned for releasable co-action,
the
connection of the adjoining container sides is wholly determined by the co-
acting
profile parts, and the functionality desired for connection can thus be
determined wholly
by the choice of the profile parts (for instance connection via a resilient
material or
connection with simultaneous form-fitting or magnetic attachment).
In order to fix the connecting container sides in an active position of the
container, it is
possible to provide two releasably connectable container sides with co-acting
coupling
means, such as for instance a velcro tape fastening.
It is also possible for at least one of the upright side walls to be assembled
from a
plurality of segments hingedly comlected to each other. It thus becomes
possible to
assemble a container which in the active position has a form other than
rectangular. It is
possible here for instance to envisage the form of aircraft containers which
usually have
a narrowed, tapering upper part so as to thus enable efficient loading of a
cargo space of
an aircraft.
It is furthermore possible for at least one of the upright side walls to be
provided with a
releasable segment. Such a segment can for instance form an access (door).
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So as to further protect the side wall parts in a collapsed position of the
container and to
increase the strength of the container, it is possible for the bottom part to
be provided
with an upright edge part, on the upper edge of which a side wall engages
hingedly.
For the purpose of displacing the container or storing the container, the
container can be
provided with engaging means which are externally accessible in the active
position.
Examples hereof are openings arranged in the bottom part for receiving the
prongs of a
lifting device, lifting eyes, corner castings, fastening apertures and so
forth.
In yet another embodiment variant, the container is provided with coupling
means
located on the inside of the container, in active position of the container,
for coupling a
vehicle to the container. The coupling means are provided so as to enable the
realization
of preferably, but not necessarily, a rigid coupling between the container and
the
vehicle. The coupling means for coupling an object to the container can
consist for
instance of eyes, loops or other engaging positions, for instance for bands,
cords, belts,
straps or other connecting means. The coupling between the container and an
object
enclosed thereby prevents the object displacing freely in the container and
thus possibly
being damaged and/or damaging the container. In the enclosed situation the
object is
protected by the container walls which can be embodied for this purpose in a
strong
material such that mechanical load on the outer side of a container in the
active position
cannot be transmitted to the vehicle, or only in diminished form. The
container walls
can be manufactured from a wide variety of materials such as metal, plastic or
natural
materials. It is also possible for composite (plate) material to be applied.
Favourable
results are anticipated in the application by means of spatially structured
plate material,
optionally laminated with flat plate material. A particular possible
application of the
container according to the invention is the transport and transshipment of
vehicles (for
instance in transport by plane, car, train and/or boat). The present invention
can
however also be advantageous in the (temporary) storage of vehicles.
In yet another preferred variant, the container is provided with coupling
means
connectable releasably to the bottom part for fixing an object for securing at
a distance
from the bottom part. Here can be envisaged a profile part for releasable
coupling to the
bottom part which can be fixed in the bottom part and to which the object can
then be
fastened. In the collapsed position this profile part will usually be
disconnected from the
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bottom part and placed (optionally coupled to the container sides) parallel to
the
container walls.
It is particularly advantageous if the container in the active position
encloses a storage
space which is dimensioned to contain a two-wheeler. Specifically envisaged
here are
motorbikes, but also cycles, mopeds, scooters, motor-assisted cycles and so
forth can
also be packed in a container according to the invention. Such means of
transport are
frequently transported and are usually treated with care. The transport of for
instance a
motorbike in the bed of a pick-up truck can now take place in a protected
environment.
Conversely, two-wheelers are usually used for only a limited part of the year
and for the
remaining part of the year (for instance the winter) they are stored in a shed
or garage.
In order to now protect such a two-wheeler during storage and to enable
efficient
storage, it can be advantageous to pack it with the container according to the
present
invention. Additional facilities can herein also be arranged in the container
such as
moisture-absorbing means (hygroscopic material) and/or heating means. It is
moreover
also possible, depending on the embodiment of the container, to store a two-
wheeler (or
other vehicle) therein outside, i.e. not in a shed or garage but placed
directly in the open
air. In order to protect the vehicle even better, the container can be
provided in the
active position with at least one support element that is manufactured from a
shock-
absorbing material.
The present invention will be further elucidated on the basis of non-
limitative
embodiments shown in the following figures. Herein:
figure 1 shows a perspective view of a container according to the invention in
an active
position,
figure 2 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment variant of a
container
according to the invention in an active position,
figures 3A-3C show cross-sections through profile parts for applying in the
container
according to the invention,
figures 4A-4E show successive stages in the conversion of a container in an
active
position into a collapsed container,
figure 5 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment variant of a
container
according to the invention in an active position,
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figures 6A and 6B are perspective views of the container shown in figure 5 in
a
collapsed position,
figures 7A and 7B are perspective views of the container shown in the
foregoing figures
in an intermediate position, in which a motorbike can be placed in or taken
out of the
container.
Figure 1 shows a container 1 for containing products, not shown in this
figure, with a
bottom part 2. Upright side walls 3 are connected to bottom part 2. It is
noted that side
walls 3 are constructed from a number of segments 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 connected
hingedly (or
as desired releasably) to each other. A top part 9 connects onto the upper
segments 5, 8
of side walls 3. Side walls 3 and top part 9 are mutually connected with for
instance
velcro tape fastenings 10. Because of the chamfered top part the container 1
is
particularly suitable for transport in an aircraft. Figure 2 shows an
alternative
embodiment variant of a rectangular container 11 with a bottom part 12 in
which
fastening openings 13 are provided. Container 11 is provided with upright side
walls 13
and a top part 14.
Figure 3A shows in cross-section a profile part 20 with a chamiel-like opening
21 for
receiving a wall part. Also arranged is an edge 22 which projects from profile
part 20
and which can function as stop edge for an adjoining wall part. Figure 3B
shows a
cross-section of another variant of a profile part 23, likewise provided with
a chamlel-
like opening 24 for receiving a wall part. In this variant a projecting stop
edge 25 has an
orientation differing from that of the profile part 20 shown in figure 3A.
Figure 3C
shows a coupling profile 26 with which two wall parts 27, 28 can be coupled at
a right
angle.
Figures 4A to 4E show in successive stages how a container 30 is converted
from an
active position into a collapsed (folded-together) position. Shown here is
that two front
panels 31 with hinged door panels 32 are detached from the remaining part of
container
30. After the rear panels.33 have been laid, in a step which is not shown,
against a
bottom part 34, in figures 4C and 4D the remaining side walls 35 and top part
36 are
folded together and placed against bottom part 34. Finally remaining is a
collapsed
container 30 as shown in figure 4E.
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Figure 5 shows a container 101 for containing a vehicle (not shown) with a
bottom part
102 in which openings 103 are left clear for the prongs of a fork-lift truck.
Upright side
walls 104 are connected to bottom part 102 via hinges. Top segments 105
connect to
side walls 104 such that container 101 fully encloses a space. Side walls 104
and top
segments 105 can be mutually connected using for instance velcro tape
fastenings
which are not shown in this figure.
Figures 6A and 6B once again show container 101, although now in a collapsed
position. Bottom part 102, side walls 104 and top segments 105 are in this
situation
placed at least substantially parallel to each other and thus take up less
great a volume
than the container in an active position (see figure 5). Recesses 107 are left
clear in a
bottom plate 106 which forms part of bottom part 102, whereby a fixing bar is
accessible. By means of openings 107 and fixing bar the coupling elements
(bands,
cords, belts and so forth) can be used to anchor to the bottom part a vehicle
for
transporting.
Figures 7A and 7B once again show container 101, although now in an
intermediate
position in which a motorbike 110 can be connected to or released from bottom
part
102. Also clearly shown is that one of the side walls 4 has an assembled
construction of
two separate wall parts 111 and 112.
