REUSABLE TRANSPORT CONTAINER WITH A LATERAL WALL WITH AN ORIENTATION SENSOR

Abstract

A reusable transport container includes a base and foldable and/or collapsible side panel sections arranged on the base. The side panel sections can be brought into an upright position in which the side panel sections are substantially perpendicular to the base, and into a non-upright position in which the side panel sections are folded or collapsed. The reusable transport container includes a sensor configured to distinguish between the upright position and the non-upright position of at least one side panel section, and a transmitting device coupled to or integrated in the sensor configured to output different signals corresponding to the position detected by the sensor.

Claims

1. A reusable transport container comprising: a base and side panel sections arranged on the base, the side panel sections being foldable and/or collapsible, the side panel sections being movable to an upright position in which the side panel sections are substantially perpendicular to the base, and movable to a non-upright position in which the side panel sections are folded or collapsed, characterized by; at least one sensor configured to distinguish between the upright position and the non-upright position of at least one of the side panel sections; and a transmitting device coupled to or integrated in the at least one sensor, the transmitting device configured to output different signals corresponding to a position detected by the at least one sensor.

2. The reusable transport container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is a position sensor which is formed in and/or on said at least one of the side panel sections.

3. The reusable transport container according to claim 2, wherein orientations of the position sensor in the upright position of the at least one of the side panel sections and in the non-upright position of the at least one of the side panel sections are different by approximately 90.

4. The reusable transport container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is received completely and without a projection in the at least one of the side panel sections.

5. The reusable transport container according to claim 1, wherein the side panel sections are formed to be double-paneled as a double panel, wherein the at least one of the side panel sections has a sensor holder inside the double panel which is configured to hold the at least one sensor.

6. The reusable transport container according to claim 5, wherein a sensor holder opening is formed on a hinge edge of the at least one of the side panel sections.

7. The reusable transport container according to claim 5, wherein a material thickness of the double panel is reduced in an area of the sensor holder.

8. The reusable transport container according to claim 5, wherein the at least one sensor is fixed in the sensor holder by an adapter.

9. The reusable transport container according to claim 8, wherein the adapter is locked positively in the sensor holder of the at least one of the side panel sections.

10. The reusable transport container according to claim 8, wherein the adapter has a positioning aid by which the adapter is insertable into the sensor holder in exclusively one defined inserting orientation.

11. The reusable transport container according to claim 8, wherein the adapter has a sensor locking geometry in which the at least one sensor is locked in the adapter.

12. The reusable transport container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is fastened to the at least one of the side panel sections by at least one fastener.

13. The reusable transport container according to claim 12, wherein the at least one of the side panel sections has at least one holding geometry which is provided and designed to hold the at least one sensor in exactly one specific orientation.

14. The reusable transport container according to claim 5, wherein the sensor holder is closed by a lid, the lid being flush with the at least one of the side panel sections when the lid is in a mounted state.

15. The reusable transport container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is formed in the at least one of the side panel sections and the transmitting device is formed in the base.

16. The reusable transport container according to claim 15, wherein the transmitting device is formed in a stand or a stand skid of the base.

17. The reusable transport container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is designed to wirelessly transmit the detected position detected by the at least one sensor to the transmitting device.

18. The reusable transport container according to claim 17, wherein the at least one sensor and the transmitting device are paired.

19. A method of determining a storage state of a reusable transport container that has a foldable and/or collapsible side panel section and a position sensor in or on the foldable and/or collapsible side panel section, the method comprising the steps of: detecting an orientation of the position sensor; and determining whether the foldable and/or collapsible side panel section is in an upright position or a non-upright position based on the orientation of the position sensor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0084] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a reusable transport container according to the invention having side panels in an upright position;

[0085] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a reusable transport container according to the invention having the side panels, wherein one of the side panels is in a non-upright position;

[0086] FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic representation of a folding operation of the side panel section which includes a sensor;

[0087] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the reusable transport container according to the invention;

[0088] FIG. 5 is a first representation of a second embodiment comprising an adapter which is provided and designed to fix the sensor in the side panel section;

[0089] FIG. 6 is a second representation of a second embodiment illustrating an inserting operation of the adapter into the side panel section;

[0090] FIG. 7 is a representation of a locking mechanism of the adapter in a sensor holder of the side panel section of the second embodiment;

[0091] FIG. 8 is a representation of the adapter and the sensor in a state in which the sensor and the adapter are separated;

[0092] FIG. 9 is a representation of the adapter and the sensor in a state in which the sensor is inserted in the adapter;

[0093] FIG. 10 is a section view of the adapter and the sensor along the line A-A in FIG. 9;

[0094] FIG. 11 is a first representation of a third embodiment in a first variant, the sensor being mounted on the side panel section;

[0095] FIG. 12 is a second representation of the third embodiment in the first variant, the sensor not being mounted on the side panel section (dismounted state);

[0096] FIG. 13 is a first representation of the third embodiment in a second variant;

[0097] FIG. 14 is a second representation of the third embodiment in the second variant;

[0098] FIG. 15 is a first representation of the third embodiment in a third variant;

[0099] FIG. 16 is a second representation of the third embodiment in the third variant, the sensor not being mounted on the side panel section (dismounted state);

[0100] FIG. 17 is a third representation of the third embodiment in the third variant;

[0101] FIG. 18 is a first representation of the third embodiment in a fourth variant;

[0102] FIG. 19 is a second representation of the third embodiment in the fourth variant, the sensor not being mounted on the side panel section (dismounted state);

[0103] FIG. 20 is a first representation of a fourth embodiment;

[0104] FIG. 21 is a second representation of the fourth embodiment, the sensor not being mounted on the side panel section (dismounted state);

[0105] FIG. 22 is a third representation of the fourth embodiment;

[0106] FIG. 23 is a perspective representation of the reusable transport container according to the invention of a fifth embodiment having side panels shown to be partly transparent; and

[0107] FIG. 24 is a front view of the fifth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0108] In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the related Figures.

[0109] First, based on FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, a reusable transport container 2 according to the invention is described in a general embodiment.

[0110] FIG. 1 illustrates the reusable transport container 2 according to the invention, specifically made of plastic, of a first embodiment comprising a rectangular base 4 and two first short side panels 6 and second long side panels 8 each being articulated by hinges to the base 4. The first short side panels 6 are hinged to short sides of the base 4. The second long side panels 8 are hinged to long sides of the base 4. In an upright position, the first side panels 6 and the second side panels 8 extend substantially perpendicularly away from the base 4. The first side panels 6 and the second side panels 8 preferably are double-paneled first and, resp., second side panels 6, 8. In other words, the first side panels 6 and the second side panels 8 preferably include, in a double-paneled embodiment, two cover surfaces and a support structure which connects the two cover surfaces.

[0111] The base includes stand skids 10 aligned/oriented in the direction of the long side of the base 4. First fork openings 12 are formed between the stand skids 10. The first fork openings 12 are configured so that the reusable transport container 2 can be received and transported by means of a forklift, a lifting truck or the like. Second fork openings 14 are formed at the long sides of the base 4.

[0112] An opening rim 16 is formed on a side of the first side panels 6 and the second side panels 8 remote from the base 4. The opening rim 16 encloses an opening of the reusable transport container 2. At the opening rim 16 locking edges 18 are formed which extend from the opening rim 16 in a direction away from the base 4. The locking edges 18 enable plural identical reusable transport containers 2 to be stacked in a shift-safe manner.

[0113] A first small flap 20 is formed centrally in one of the first side panels 6. The first flap 20 extends from the opening rim 16 approximately over half the height of the first side panel 6. The first flap 20 is hinged to an edge oriented toward the base 4 on the first side panel 6. A second large flap 22 is formed in one of the second side panels 8. The second flap 22 extends from the opening rim 16 approximately over half the height of the second side panel 8. The second flap 22 is hinged to an edge oriented toward the base 4 on the second side panel 8.

[0114] In the first embodiment, a sensor 24 is formed in the first side panel 6 which contains no first flap 20. The sensor 24 in the first embodiment is a position sensor or an orientation sensor, respectively. The sensor 24 is formed in a section of the first side panel 6 facing the base 4. Preferably, the sensor 24 is held in a sensor holder 26 (see FIG. 3) in the first side panel 6. In a double-paneled design of the first side panel 6, the sensor holder is preferably formed between cover surfaces of the first side panel 6.

[0115] FIG. 2 illustrates the reusable transport container 2 according to the invention of the first embodiment, wherein the first side panel 6 including the sensor 24 is in a non-upright position. In other words, the first side panel 6 is folded. In said non-upright position, the first side panel 6 is oriented substantially in parallel to the base 4.

[0116] In a transport configuration of the reusable transport container 2, both of the first side panels 6 and both of the second side panels 8 are aligned/oriented substantially in parallel to the base 4. In the illustrated first embodiment, the second side panels 8 are hinged at a larger distance from the base 4 than the first side panels 6. In this way, the second side panels 8 can be folded onto the first side panels 6, and both the first side panels 6 and the second side panels 8 are aligned substantially in parallel to the base 4 in the non-upright position or in the transport configuration, respectively.

[0117] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic representation of a folding operation of the first side panel 6. For the purpose of illustration, the first side panel 6 is shown in three different positions. Accordingly, the first side panel 6 is shown in the (completely) upright position 6.1, the first side panel 6 is shown during the folding operation 6.2, and the first side panel 6 is shown in the non-upright position 6.3. The first side panel 6 in the (completely) upright position 6.1 is aligned substantially normal to the base 4. During the folding operation, then the first side panel 6 is folded around the joint axis using a joint (not shown) that connects the base 4 and the first side panel 6. In the non-upright position 6.3, the first side panel 6 is oriented substantially in parallel to the base and rests on the base 4. The first side panel 6 during the folding operation 6.2 is a position between the two end values of upright position 6.1 and non-upright position 6.3.

[0118] The first side panel 6 includes the sensor holder 26 which is provided and designed to hold the sensor 24. The sensor 24 is preferably completely enclosed by the sensor holder 26. The sensor holder 26 in the here shown first embodiment with the double-paneled side panel section and, resp., the double-paneled first side panels 6 and second side panels 8 is a cavity in the first side panel 6. Accordingly, the sensor holder 26 is tailored to dimensions of the sensor 24.

[0119] The sensor 24 is fixed in the sensor holder 26 so that the sensor 24 is efficiently prevented from moving relative to the first side panel 6 including the sensor 24. In other words, a sensor orientation at any point in time at which the sensor 24 is located in the sensor holder 26 of the first side panel 6 corresponds to a side panel orientation of the first side panel. Hence, when the first side panel 6 is in the upright position 6.1, also the sensor 24 is in the upright position 6.1.

[0120] This can be detected by the sensor 24 and can be communicated using a transmitting device. Preferably, the transmitting device is a wireless communication module permanently installed in the sensor 24. Therefore, if the sensor 24 detects that the sensor 24 and, thus, the first side panel 6 are in the upright position 6.1, said position can be communicated using the transmitting device.

[0121] If the upright position 6.1 is communicated, it can be concluded therefrom that the reusable transport container 2 is in use and/or is filled. In other words, it can be concluded therefrom that the reusable transport container 2 is not in storage or in a storing state and, thus, is not available.

[0122] If the first side panel 6 is in the non-upright position 6.3, the sensor 24 also is in the non-upright position 6.3. This can be detected by the sensor 24 and can be communicated by means of the transmitting device. Therefore, if the sensor 24 detects that the sensor 24 and, thus, the first side panel are in the non-upright position 6.3, said position can be communicated by means of the transmitting device. If the non-upright position 6.3 is communicated, one can conclude therefrom that the reusable transport container 2 is in storage or, resp., in the storing state. In other words, one can conclude therefrom that the reusable transport container 2 is not in use and thus is available.

[0123] The reusable transport container 2 shown in FIG. 4 includes, apart from the sensor 24 in the first side panel 6, also a sensor 24 in the second side panel 8. Further, the reusable transport container shown in FIG. 4 includes sensors 24 in the first flap 20 and in the second flap 22.

[0124] Each of the sensors 24 preferably communicates, apart from its current position, also its installation position and, resp., an individual identifier which can be associated with the installation position. In this way, it cannot only be detected whether the reusable transport container 2 is in use or in the storing state, but it can be concluded from the position of the first flap 20 and the second flap 22 whether the reusable transport container 2 is currently loaded or unloaded, or whether the reusable transport container 2 is filled in a resting situation. Thus, one can conclude from the transmitted position of the first flap 20 and the second flap 22 in which state of use the reusable transport container 2 is when the first side panels 6 and, resp., second side panels 8 are in the upright position.

[0125] A redundancy can be achieved by providing the sensor 24 both in the first side panel 6 and in the second side panel 8, allowing the determination of the state of the reusable transport container 2 to be rendered more reliable and less error-prone. In addition, it can also be detected by means of plural sensors 24 whether a reusable transport container 2 is defective. In this way, if there are plural sensors 24 which communicate positions different from each other both in first side panels 6 and in second side panels 8 of a defined reusable transport container 2, one can conclude therefrom that one of the side panels 6, 8 may have collapsed and cargo stored in the reusable transport container 2 may come out.

[0126] In the following, the reusable transport container 2 comprising an adapter 36 will be described based on FIG. 5 to FIG. 10. The repeated description of elements corresponding to those of the general embodiment (FIG. 1 to FIG. 4) is renounced. Hereinafter, in particular differences from the general embodiment will be discussed. The fastening of the sensor 24 to the first side panel 6 will be described by way of example. However, the sensor 24 can be fastened to any side panel section of the reusable transport container 2.

[0127] FIG. 5 illustrates a first side panel 6 in a second embodiment. The first side panel 6 in FIG. 5 is shown with a (graphical) breakout 28 for better illustration in an area of the sensor holder 26. A sensor holder opening 30 is formed in a hinge edge 32 of the first side panel. Hinge elements 34 which allow the first side panel 6 to be folded relative to the base 4 are formed at the hinge edge 32. The sensor holder 26 of the second embodiment is provided and designed to hold an adapter 36 specifically positively.

[0128] The adapter 36 is provided and designed to receive the sensor 24. The adapter 36 is shown in detail in FIGS. 8 to 10 and will be described in greater detail below. When inserted, the adapter 36 is substantially flush with the hinge edge 32. Further, from FIG. 5 an internal structure of the first side panel 6 is visible in the breakout 28. The first side panel 6 includes a first cover layer 38, a second cover layer 40 and a support structure 39, the support structure connecting the first cover layer 38 and the second cover layer 40 to each other.

[0129] FIG. 6 illustrates an inserting operation of the adapter 36 into the sensor holder 26. The adapter 36 in which the sensor 24 is received specifically positively is inserted into the sensor holder 26 via the sensor holder opening 30 located in the hinge edge 32. In the sensor holder 26 at least one positioning bar 41 is formed which interacts with a positioning aid 42 formed on the adapter 36 in such a way that the adapter 36 can be inserted into the sensor holder 26 in exactly a defined inserting orientation. Locking hooks 44 which are provided and formed to engage in a locking section 46 of the sensor holder 26 are formed on the side of the adapter 36 remote from the positioning aid 42.

[0130] FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged view of the locking hooks 44 of the adapter 36 in a state in which the locking hooks 44 are engaged in a locking section 46 of the sensor holder 26. The locking hooks 44 are connected to or, resp., materially formed with spring levers 48. The spring levers 48 press the locking hooks 44 behind the locking sections 46 of the sensor holder 26 so that the adapter 36 is positively fixed in the sensor holder 26. When an operating person compresses the spring levers 48, the locking hooks can be moved in the direction of the sensor holder opening 30 and the adapter 36 then can be removed from the sensor holder 26.

[0131] FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 illustrate the adapter 36 and the sensor 24, FIG. 10 being a section view along the line A-A in FIG. 9. The adapter 36 includes an adapter base 50 and an adapter side panel 52 circumferentially extending substantially perpendicularly away from the adapter base 50. Further, the adapter 36 includes a sensor locking geometry 51 which positively fixes the sensor 24 in the adapter 36. On the adapter side panel, the two spring levers 48 with the locking hooks 44 are formed at a first end of the adapter 36, wherein a function of the spring levers 48 with the locking hooks 44 was explained already by way of FIG. 7.

[0132] The positioning aid 42 is formed at a second end of the adapter 36 which is opposite to the first end of the adapter 36 in a longitudinal direction of the adapter. In other words, the positioning aid 42 is formed on a side of the adapter remote from the locking hooks 44. In the area of the positioning aid 42, the adapter base 50 is upwardly offset. In other words, the adapter base 50 has a step 54 toward an extension direction of the adapter side panels 52 in the area of the positioning aid 42. Furthermore, the adapter side panel 52 is designed to be retracted in the area of the positioning aid 42. In other words, a distance between opposite sections of the adapter side panels 52 is reduced in the area of the positioning aid 42.

[0133] Hereinafter, the reusable transport container 2 comprising a mount geometry 56 provided and designed to receive the sensor 24 in exactly a specific orientation will be described based on FIG. 11 to FIG. 19. The repeated description of elements corresponding to those of the general embodiment is renounced. In the following, in particular differences from the general embodiment will be discussed. The fastening of the sensor 24 to the first side panel 6 is described by way of example. However, the sensor 24 can be fastened on any side panel section of the reusable transport container 2.

[0134] FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show the first side panel 6 in a third embodiment in a first variant, FIG. 11 showing the sensor 24 in a state mounted to the first side panel 6, and FIG. 12 showing the sensor in a state dismounted from the first side panel 6. The first side panel 6 includes a panel surface 58 and stiffening elements 60. The panel surface 58 and the stiffening elements 60 are preferably formed integrally. In a first variant, the stiffening elements 60 include a holding geometry 62 provided and designed to hold the sensor 24. Of preference, the sensor 24 is flush with the panel surface 58. The holding geometry 62 of the first variant particularly includes two threaded holes 64 which are formed in the stiffening elements 62. The sensor 24 is fixed in the holding geometry 62 by means of screws 66 which are screwed into the threaded holes 64. Concretely, the screws 66 are screwed through sensor through-holes 68 of the sensor 24 in the threaded holes 64. A distance of the threaded holes 64 corresponds to a distance of the sensor through-holes 68.

[0135] FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 illustrate the first side panel 6 in the third embodiment in a second variant, FIG. 13 being a view that shows the sensor 24 fixed to a side of the panel surface 58 remote from the stiffening elements 60, and FIG. 14 showing the holding geometry 62 from a side of the panel surface 58 facing the stiffening elements 60. The holding geometry 62 of the second variant includes substantially two side panel through-holes 70. A distance of the side panel through-holes 70 corresponds to the distance of the sensor through-holes 68. The sensor 24 is fixed to the side panel section by means of fasteners in the form of locking rivets 72 which are passed through each of the side panel through-hole 70 and the sensor through-hole 72. Alternative fasteners are a screw and nut connection, conventional riveting or the like.

[0136] FIG. 15, FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 illustrate the first side panel 6 in the third embodiment in a third variant, FIG. 15 showing a locked state of the sensor 24 in the holding geometry 62, and FIG. 16 showing an unlocked state of the sensor 24 in the holding geometry 62. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the locked state. The sensor 24 includes fastening surfaces 74 which in the locked state in FIG. 15 and FIG. 17 are positioned behind retaining sections 76. The retaining sections 76 prevent the sensor from moving normal to the first side panel 6. Side panel section locking hooks 78 of the are formed on the first side panel 6. The side panel section locking hooks 78 are preferably resilient locking elements which prevent, together with stiffening support struts 80, the sensor 24 from moving in parallel to the first side panel 6. During an inserting operation, the sensor 24 is inserted, as shown in FIG. 16, in a defined inserting position. In the inserting position, the sensor presses the side panel section locking hooks 78 toward the side panel section 6. Subsequently, by rotating the sensor 6 the side panel section locking hooks 78 are moved behind the retaining sections 76. In the locked position, the side panel section locking hooks 78 are moved back to their home position by spring force and thus fix the sensor 24. In the locked position, the stiffening support struts additionally contact the sensor 24.

[0137] FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 illustrate the first side panel 6 in the third embodiment in a fourth variant, FIG. 18 representing a mounted state and FIG. 19 representing a non-mounted state. The holding geometry 62 formed on the side panel 6 in the fourth variant includes two pin-shaped holders 81 which are provided and designed to engage in the sensor through-holes 68 of the sensor 24. Further, the holding geometry 62 in the fourth variant includes a fixing bracket 82 which is provided and designed to engage in a fixing bracket breakout 84 of the first side panel 6 and to be screwed by means of a fixing bracket screw 86 which is screwed into a fixing bracket threaded hole 88. In a mounted state, the pin-shaped holders 81 are positioned in the sensor through-holes 68 of the sensor 24. The sensor 24 is flush with the first side panel 6 and, resp., is oriented substantially in parallel to the first side panel 6. The fixing bracket 82 is arranged with a fixing bracket engaging edge 90 in the fixing bracket breakout 84 of the first side panel 6 and is screwed by the fixing bracket screw 86 which is screwed into the fixing bracket threaded hole 88 in the direction of the first side panel 6. Accordingly, the fixing bracket 82 encompasses the sensor 24 and fixes the sensor 24 in a direction normal to the first side panel 6. The sensor is tightly connected to the first side panel 6 by the fixing bracket 82 and the pin-shaped holders 81 in the sensor through-holes 68.

[0138] In the following, based on FIG. 20, FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, the reusable transport container 2 comprising a sensor holder 26 which is closed by a lid 92 is described, the lid 92 when mounted being flush with the side panel section, which reusable transport container 2 may also be described independently. The repeated description of elements corresponding to those of the general embodiment is renounced. Hereinafter, in particular differences from the general embodiment shall be discussed. The fastening of the sensor 24 to the first side panel 6 is described by way of example. However, the sensor 24 can be fastened to any side panel section of the reusable transport container 2.

[0139] In detail, the FIGS. 20 to 22 illustrate a cutout of the first side panel 6 in a fourth embodiment. The first side panel 6 in FIGS. 20 to 22 is shown with a (graphical) outbreak 28 for better illustration in an area of the sensor holder 26. From FIGS. 20 to 22, an internal structure of the first side panel 6 is visible in the outbreak 28. The first side panel 6 includes the first cover layer 38, the second cover layer 40 and the support structure 39, the support structure connecting the first cover layer 38 and the second cover layer 40 to each other. The sensor holder 26 is formed inside the support structure 39. In other words, the sensor holder 26 is formed between the first cover layer 38 and the second cover layer 40. The sensor holder 26 is configured to hold the sensor 24 in particular completely. The sensor holder 26 includes the sensor holder opening 30. An internal geometry of the sensor holder 26 can be tailored to dimensions of the sensor 24.

[0140] The sensor holder 26 of the fourth embodiment is closed by the lid 92. In particular, the lid 92 closes the sensor holder opening 30. FIG. 20 and FIG. 22 illustrate a view with locking hooks 44 on the cover 92 in a state in which the locking hooks 44 are locked in a locking section 46 of the sensor holder 26. The locking hooks 44 are connected to and/or formed materially with spring levers 48. The spring levers 48 press the locking hooks 44 behind the locking sections 46 of the sensor holder 26 so that the lid 92 is positively fixed in the sensor holder 26. When an operating person compresses the spring levers 48, the locking hooks can be moved toward the sensor holder opening 30 and the adapter 36 can then be removed from the sensor holder 26. In a closed state, the lid 92 is flush with the side panel 6.

[0141] In a preferred development of the fourth embodiment, the lid 92 and, resp., the geometry of the lid 92 can be adjusted to the dimensions of the sensor 24 so that the sensor 24 is positively fixed in the sensor holder 26 substantially without play.

[0142] The fourth embodiment described here has the lid 92 at an edge of the first side panel 6. The lid 92 can be formed explicitly also in the first cover layer 38 and/or in the second cover layer 40.

[0143] A panel thickness of the lid 92 may be smaller than the panel thickness of the first cover layer 38 and the panel thickness of the second cover layer 40.

[0144] FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 illustrate a fifth embodiment in two alternatives. Hereinafter, only differences from the first embodiment shall be discussed.

[0145] In the reusable transport container 2 of the fifth embodiment, the (position/orientation) sensor 24 and the communication module 94a; 94b are designed separately from each other.

[0146] In the first alternative of the fifth embodiment, the communication module 94a is designed in the central stand skid 10 of the reusable transport container 2 and communicates wirelessly with the sensor 24 formed in the side panel 8. The communication module 94a is arranged, in a longitudinal direction of the central stand skid 10, spaced apart from the side panel 6 to protect the communication module 94a against lateral impacts.

[0147] In the second alternative of the fifth embodiment, the communication module 94b is formed in the base 4 of the reusable transport container. In the embodiment shown here, the communication module 94b is formed in an area between two stand skids 10 in the base 4.

[0148] As a matter of course, the communication module 94a, 94b may be configured at any other suitable position in or on the base 4. In this way, the communication module 94a, 94b may be formed in one of the stand skids in an embodiment in which the base 4 is designed with, specifically nine, independent stand skids.

[0149] Both the sensor 24 and the communication module 94a, 94b can be formed/fixed in/on the reusable transport container 2 in any described type of fastening. In the fifth embodiment, one sensor 24 is formed in the side panel 8. As a matter of course, more than one sensor 24 may be formed in different side panels 6, 8 of the reusable transport container.

[0150] In another embodiment (not shown), the sensor 24 including the communication module can be designed, according to any one of the first four embodiments, in a first one of the side panels 6, 8, and a sensor having no separate communication module can be designed in a second one of the side panels 6, 8.

[0151] The above-described embodiments are meant to be examples, and features which are described in combination with a particular embodiment here can be applied to a different embodiment.

[0152] Furthermore, a reusable transport container comprising first and second side panels rigidly connected to the base can be provided with a sensor only in the first flap and/or in the second flap.

[0153] In another embodiment (not shown), the sensor holder can be produced by mold blowing.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0154] 2 reusable transport container [0155] 4 base [0156] 6 first side panel [0157] 8 second side panel [0158] 10 stand skid [0159] 12 first fork opening [0160] 14 second fork opening [0161] 16 opening rim [0162] 18 locking edge [0163] 20 first flap [0164] 22 second flap [0165] 24 sensor [0166] 26 sensor holder [0167] 28 breakout [0168] 30 sensor holder opening [0169] 32 hinge edge [0170] 34 hinge element [0171] 36 adapter [0172] 38 first cover layer [0173] 39 support structure [0174] 40 second cover layer [0175] 41 positioning bar [0176] 42 positioning aid [0177] 44 locking hook [0178] 46 locking section [0179] 48 spring lever [0180] 50 adapter base [0181] 51 sensor locking geometry [0182] 52 adapter side panel [0183] 54 step [0184] 56 holding geometry [0185] 58 panel surface [0186] 60 stiffening element [0187] 62 holding geometry [0188] 64 threaded hole [0189] 66 screw [0190] 68 sensor through-hole [0191] 70 side panel through-hole [0192] 72 locking rivet [0193] 74 fastening surface [0194] 76 retaining section [0195] 78 side panel section locking hook [0196] 80 stiffening support struts [0197] 81 pin-shaped holder [0198] 82 fixing bracket [0199] 84 fixing bracket breakout [0200] 86 fixing bracket screw [0201] 88 fixing bracket threaded hole [0202] 90 fixing bracket engaging edge [0203] 92 lid [0204] 94a communication module [0205] 94b communication module [0206] 6.1 (completely) upright position [0207] 6.2 position during the folding operation [0208] 6.3 non-upright position