FOLDING TRANSPORT CONTAINER

Abstract

A laterally collapsible container (111) comprising a pair of side walls (114, 115), at least one pair of hinged end panels (116), a top wall (113) and a bottom wall (112), wherein one end of a vertical side wall (114, 115) is mechanically coupled to the corresponding vertical side edge of a hinged end panel (116) through a hinged push-pull connection (211) comprising at least a first piece (123) and at least a second piece (212) that are joined together through an intermediate piece (213), to allow the hinged end panels (116) to be attached to the corresponding outer side surface of a vertical side wall (114, 115), where the hinged end panel (116) can describe a rotational movement between 0?, which corresponds to the hinged end panel (116) in the closed position, and 270?, which corresponds to the hinged end panel (116) in the fully open position.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A laterally foldable shipping container comprising a pair of side walls, at least one pair of end panels, a top wall, and a bottom wall, wherein one end of a side wall is mechanically coupled to the corresponding vertical side edge of a hinged end panel through a push-pull hinged connection, comprising at least a first piece and at least a second piece that are joined together through an intermediate piece, the first piece is fixed to the outer side surface of a hinged end panel and the second piece is fixed to the outer side surface of a side wall, the first piece is attached to a first vertical side edge of the intermediate piece by means of a first longitudinal axis that allows the rotation of both pieces or of the first piece on the intermediate piece or vice versa, the second piece is joined to a second vertical side edge opposite to the first vertical side edge of the intermediate piece by means of a second longitudinal axis parallel to the first axis, which allows the rotation of both pieces or of the intermediate piece on the second piece, wherein the collapsible shipping container comprises at least one pair of stiffeners arranged at opposite corners, i.e. at non-consecutive vertices of an end plane of the collapsible container in unfolded configuration.

14. The collapsible shipping container according to claim 13, wherein the hinged push-pull connection allows the hinged end panels to be attached to the corresponding outer side surface of a side wall, wherein the hinged end panel can describe a rotational movement between 0?, which corresponds to the hinged end panel in the closed position, and 270?, which corresponds to the end panel in the fully open position.

15. The collapsible shipping container according to claim 14, wherein the hinged end panel, in the fully open position, is kept in the open position by means of a latch or a similar device and is distanced from the corresponding vertical side edge of a side wall.

16. The collapsible shipping container according to claim 13, wherein the laterally foldable container adopting an intermediate Z-shaped configuration, in the horizontal folded configuration, the side walls and the hinged end panels are essentially parallel to the top walls and bottom wall in a sandwich configuration.

17. The collapsible shipping container according to claim 13, wherein the stiffener comprises a U-shaped bracket, a pin and at least one through-slotted plate that is engageable within the U-shaped bracket, if the hinged end panel is in closed position, being held in this position by the pin inserted within the through-slot of the platen.

18. The collapsible shipping container according to claim 17, wherein the hinged end panels, in closed position, are lockable by means of at least one extendable closing bar, comprising a lower end closing portion and an upper end closing portion and a hollow central closing portion, the upper and lower end closing portions and the central closing portion being arranged telescopically, and a handle per hinged end panel.

19. The collapsible shipping container according to claim 18, wherein the opposite lower and upper closing portions are inserted through into the central closing portion in the open position of the hinged end panels.

20. The collapsible shipping container according to claim 13, wherein the folded shipping container is lockable in the folded configuration, by means of at least one vertical locking plate rotatable from 0?, corresponding to a horizontal parallel position to the upper edge of the top of the shipping container, to 90?, corresponding to a vertical parallel position to a lateral vertical edge of the vertical side panel of the shipping container.

21. The collapsible shipping container according to claim 20, wherein the rotatable vertical locking plate is attached close to a corner formed by the convergence of the top and a side wall of the collapsible container.

22. The collapsible shipping container according to claim 13, wherein the folded shipping container can be locked in this configuration by means of at least one rotatable diagonal locking element.

23. The collapsible shipping container according to claim 22, wherein the diagonal locking element is rotatable between 0?, corresponding to a horizontal parallel position to the lower edge of the lower portion of the folded container, and an angle less than 90?, corresponding to a diagonal position from the lower edge of the lower portion of the folded container towards the upper edge of the upper portion of the folded container.

24. The collapsible shipping container according to claim 23, wherein there are two diagonal locking elements and when the corresponding upper ends of these diagonal locking elements are rotated towards the horizontal side edge of the upper wall, the two diagonal locking elements adopt a San Andr?s cross shape corresponding to the working position, shipping container folded.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0040] A more detailed explanation of the invention in accordance with the embodiments thereof is given in the description below, based on the attached figures in which:

[0041] FIG. 1 shows an elevation view of a pair of end panels or hinged doors of a laterally foldable shipping container, in a vertical unfolded configuration, in a closed position,

[0042] FIG. 2 shows, in profile view, a side wall of the laterally foldable shipping container in a vertical unfolded configuration, where the hinged end panels are in a closed position, a first hinged push-pull connection is attached to a first side edge of the side wall and a second hinged push-pull connection is attached to a second vertical side edge opposite the first vertical side edge of the side wall,

[0043] FIG. 3 shows, in elevation, the collapsible shipping container a first detail of a stiffener arranged in a corner of the laterally collapsible shipping container in the unfolded configuration of FIG. 1,

[0044] FIG. 4 shows an elevation view of an extendable closure bar, which is attached to the outer face of a hinged end panel of the laterally foldable shipping container, in the extended closure bar configuration and in the contracted closure bar configuration.

[0045] FIG. 5 shows a rear or front elevation view of the laterally foldable shipping container in the vertical unfolded configuration, where the hinged end panels are in the open position,

[0046] FIG. 6 shows in a profile view a side wall of the laterally foldable shipping container in the upright unfolded configuration, where the hinged end panels are, in the open position, attached to a side wall of the shipping container,

[0047] FIG. 7 shows an elevation and rear profile view of the laterally foldable shipping container in a folded configuration in a sandwich configuration,

[0048] FIG. 8 shows an elevation view of a first detail of a vertical side of the laterally foldable shipping container in the folded configuration in sandwich configuration of FIG. 7, and

[0049] FIG. 9 shows an elevation view of a laterally foldable shipping container stack in the folded configuration in a sandwich configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 where a laterally foldable shipping container 111 is shown.

[0051] The collapsible shipping container 111 comprises a pair of side walls 114, 115, at least a pair of end panels or hinged doors 116, a top wall or ceiling 113, and a bottom wall or base 112.

[0052] The laterally foldable shipping container 111 is displaceable or movable between a vertical unfolded configuration towards a horizontal folded configuration or vice versa, such that, the foldable shipping container 111 assumes an intermediate Z-shaped configuration by laterally sliding the side walls 114, 115 with respect to the lower part 112 and the upper part 113.

[0053] In the vertical unfolded configuration of the collapsible shipping container 111, the side walls 114, 115, and the hinged end panels 116 are substantially perpendicular to the top wall 113 and the bottom wall 112. As shown in FIGS. 7-9, in the horizontal folded configuration, the sidewalls 114, 115 and the hinged end panels 116 are essentially parallel to the top 113 and bottom 112 walls.

[0054] Each end of a vertical sidewall 114, 115 is mechanically coupled to the corresponding vertical side edge of a hinged end panel 116 via a push-pull hinge connection 211.

[0055] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 6, the push-pull connection 211 comprises at least a first piece 123 and at least a second piece 212 which are joined to each other via an intermediate piece 213 such that two pivotal connections are formed between the first piece 123 and the intermediate piece 213 and between the second piece 212 and the intermediate piece 213. Thus, the push-pull connection 211 performs a double-acting push-pull hinge function.

[0056] The push-pull articulated connection 211 couples the vertical side wall 114, 115 to the corresponding hinged end panel 116. In general, the hinged end panels 116 in pairs are the doors of the foldable shipping container 111, through the hinged doors 116 the foldable shipping container 111 can be accessed when in the upright unfolded configuration. Generally, the door can be locked.

[0057] The first piece 123 is fixed to the outer side surface of a hinged end panel 116. The second piece 212 is fixed to the outer side surface of an upright side wall 114, 115.

[0058] The first piece 123 is attached to a first vertical side edge of the intermediate piece 213 by means of a first longitudinal axis that allows the rotation of both pieces or of the first piece 123 on the intermediate piece 213 or vice versa.

[0059] Similarly, the second part 212 is attached to a second vertical side edge opposite the first vertical side edge of the intermediate piece 213 by means of a second longitudinal axis parallel to the first axis, which allows the rotation of both pieces or of the intermediate piece 213 on the second piece 212.

[0060] The push-pull hinge connection 211 allows the hinged end panels 116 to be attached to the corresponding outer side surface of a vertical side wall 114, 115, such that the hinged end panel 116 can describe a rotational movement between 0?, which corresponds to the hinged end panel 116 in the closed position, and 270?, which corresponds to the hinged end panel 116 in the fully open position.

[0061] In the fully open position of the hinged end panel 116, this panel 116 is distanced from the corresponding vertical side edge of a vertical side wall 114, 115.

[0062] If the hinged end panel 116 is in the open position, i.e., attached externally to the outer side surface of a vertical side wall 114, 115, the collapsible shipping container 111 is movable from the vertical unfolded configuration to the horizontal folded configuration or vice versa. The collapsible shipping container 111 adopting a Z-shaped intermediate configuration.

[0063] If the laterally folded shipping container 111 is arranged in the folded configuration, a hinged end panel 116 is stored between a vertical side wall 114, 115 and the corresponding top wall 113 or bottom wall 112 in a sandwich configuration, FIG. 7.

[0064] The hinged end panel 116 is held in an open position by a latch or similar device to hold the hinged end panel 116 in place for the folding-unfolding process.

[0065] Referring now to FIG. 9, where it is shown that a number of collapsible shipping containers 111 can be easily stacked and take up much less space than in the unfolded configuration. For example, four folded shipping containers 111 occupy a similar space as an unfolded shipping container.

[0066] The collapsible shipping container 111 in a vertically unfolding configuration wherein the hinged end panels 116 are connected by the push-pull hinged connection 211 to the side walls 114, 115, exhibits adequate rigidity to meet the requirements of ISO-1496 and CSC, the International Convention for Safe Containers.

[0067] Furthermore, the collapsible shipping container 111 comprises at least one reinforced corner piece having a larger transverse dimension than a corner piece corresponding to a non-collapsible shipping container, to help support eccentricities of stacking loads of at least two stacked collapsible shipping containers.

[0068] To provide rigidity to the hinged end panels 116 in closed position, the collapsible shipping container 111 further comprises at least one pair of stiffeners 131 arranged at opposite corners, i.e. at non-consecutive vertices of an end plane of the collapsible shipping container 111 in unfolded configuration.

[0069] The stiffener 131 comprises a U-shaped bracket, a pin 132 and at least one through-slotted plate. If the end panel 116 is in closed position and the stiffener 131 is in stiffening or mounted position, the plate is fitted inside the U-shaped bracket, being held in this position by the pin 132 inserted inside the through-slot of the plate.

[0070] With reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the hinged end panels 116, in closed position, are lockable by means of at least one extendable closing bar 117. The extendable closing bar 117 comprises a lower closing portion 121 and upper closing portion 119 and a hollow cylindrical central closing portion 122, the upper and lower closing portions 119, 121 and the central portion 122 being arranged telescopically, and a handle 118 per end panel 116.

[0071] In the open position of the hinged end panels 116, the opposing lower and upper closure portions 121, 119 are insertable through into the central closure portion 122, such that the vertical length of the contracted extendible closure bar 117 is less than the vertical length of the hinged end panel 116.

[0072] The folded shipping container 111 is lockable in the folded configuration, by means of at least one vertical locking plate 133 rotatable from 0?, corresponding to a horizontal parallel position to the upper edge of the upper part 113 of the shipping container 111, to 90?, corresponding to a parallel vertical position to a lateral vertical edge of the vertical side panel 114, 115 of the shipping container 111.

[0073] The rotatable vertical locking plate 133 is attached close to a corner formed by the convergence of the upper part 113 and a vertical side wall 114, 115 of the collapsible container 111.

[0074] A pair of rotatable vertical locking strips 133 are attached at corresponding opposite corners of the top 113 of the shipping container 111.

[0075] The rotatable vertical locking plates 133 are attached to the corresponding horizontal side edge of the upper wall 113 and/or of the lower wall 112 that is placed in working position when it is desired to maintain the folding configuration of the shipping container 111 or is removed to a rest position if the shipping container 111 is unfolded vertically, so that it does not become an orphan piece with the obvious risk of being lost.

[0076] The folded shipping container 111 can be locked in this configuration against horizontal movements by means of at least one rotatable diagonal locking element 134 as well.

[0077] The diagonal locking element 134 is rotatable between 0?, corresponding to a parallel position horizontal to the lower edge of the lower portion 112 of the folded container 111, and an angle of less than 90?, corresponding to a diagonal position from the lower edge of the lower portion 112 of the folded container 111 towards the upper edge of the upper portion 113 of the container 111 in the sandwich configuration.

[0078] If two diagonal locking elements 134 are arranged in the same vertical plane when the corresponding upper ends of these diagonal locking elements 134 are rotated towards the horizontal side edge of the upper wall 113, the two diagonal locking elements 134 adopt a San Andr?s cross shape corresponding to the working position corresponding to the folded shipping container 111.

[0079] Therefore, several foldable shipping containers can be easily stacked, and are able to withstand the vertical compressive and tensile stresses, and horizontal stresses, indicated by the current regulations, and take up much less space than in the unfolded configuration. For example, five folded shipping containers occupy a space similar to one unfolded shipping container.

[0080] Therefore, in the folded configuration of the foldable shipping container 111, the rotatable vertical locking strips 133, the diagonal locking elements 134, the upper wall 113 and the lower wall 112, provide compressive strength against stacking loads.

[0081] The diagonal element 134 is attached to the corresponding horizontal side edge of the lower wall 112 and/or of the upper wall 113 by means of an oscillating device, which is placed in working position when it is desired to maintain the folded configuration of the shipping container 111 or is removed to a rest position if the shipping container 111 is vertically unfolded, so that it does not become an orphan piece with an evident risk of being lost.

LIST OF NUMERICAL REFERENCES

[0082] 111 collapsible shipping container [0083] 112 lower wall [0084] 113 upper wall [0085] 114, 115 vertical side walls [0086] 116 hinged end panels [0087] 117 extendable closing bar [0088] 118 handle [0089] 119 upper closing portion [0090] 121 lower closing portion [0091] 122 hollow central closing portion [0092] 131 stiffener [0093] 132 pin [0094] 133 rotatable vertical locking plate [0095] 134 rotatable diagonal locking element [0096] 211 push-pull hinged connection [0097] 123 first piece [0098] 212 second piece [0099] 213 intermediate piece