US20120145707A1

US20120145707A1 - Folding box

Info

Publication number: US20120145707A1
Application number: US13/383,642
Authority: US
Inventors: Josef Furtner
Original assignee: Leisch Beratungs und Beteiligungs GmbH
Current assignee: LEISCH BERATUNGS-UND BETEILIGUNGS-GMBH; Leisch Beratungs und Beteiligungs GmbH
Priority date: 2009-07-16
Filing date: 2010-07-16
Publication date: 2012-06-14
Also published as: ZA201200280B; AT508586B1; JP2012532810A; RU2012105341A; BR112012000886A2; EP2454161A1; CN102574607A; WO2011006182A8; IL217493A0; AT508586A1; WO2011006182A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a folding box (1), comprising a bottom (2) and several side walls (3), which are rotatably connected to the bottom (2), wherein the bottom (2) has a first concave/convex connection surface (a) and at least one side wall (3) has a second convex/concave connection surface (b), which interacts with the first connection surface (a) in order to connect the at least one side wall (3) to the bottom (2). According to the invention, the bottom (2) has a third concave/convex connection surface (c) and the at least one side wall (3) has a fourth convex/concave connection surface (d), wherein the third and/or the fourth connection surface (c, d) is cylindrical. The third and the fourth connection surfaces (c, d) are arranged in such a way that a sliding of the at least one side wall (3) relative to the bottom (2) in the second direction (x2) is enabled in a first rotational position of the side wall (3) and is prevented in a second rotational position.

Description

The invention relates to a folding box, comprising a bottom and several side walls connected rotatably to the bottom, wherein the bottom has a first concave/convex connection surface, wherein at least one side wall has a second convex/concave connection surface, which for the connection of the at least one side wall with the bottom cooperates with the first connection surface, wherein the first and/or the second connection surface is cylindrical to allow said rotational movement about a rotational axis and wherein the first and the second connection surface are arranged such that the movement of the at least one side wall relative to the bottom is prevented in at least one first direction perpendicular to the rotational axis and is enabled in a second direction which is opposite the first direction.
Folding boxes are practical aids for transporting objects, as in an unfolded state they form a box or case that is open at the top and in a folded state they are flat and therefore easy to store. This is a considerable advantage over fixed boxes. However, the use of folding boxes is restricted or even avoided because they are less stable than fixed boxes. Furthermore, known locking mechanisms, which lock the side walls relative to one another and thereby prevent the collapse of the box, are often unreliable or have a very complex structure.
For example from EP 1 565 382 B1 a plastic box with liftable side walls is known, in which after lifting the side wall extensions bear against said side wall from the outside on the bottom of the box and thus prevent the side wall from being pushed inside the box.
Owing to its design the measure described in EP 1 565 382 B1 is only effective when the side walls are completely lifted up. This is a disadvantage in that users of folding boxes do not always lift them up completely or during use may unintentionally fold in a side wall slightly. The mechanism known from the prior art is then no longer effective so that the folding box is more unstable.
The objective of the invention is therefore to provide a folding box, which is better protected from unintentional pushing inwards.
The objective of the invention is achieved by means of a folding box of the aforementioned type, in which:

- the bottom has a third concave/convex connection surface and
- the at least one side wall has a fourth convex/concave connection surface, wherein
- the third and/or the fourth connection surface is cylindrical to enable the said rotational movement about the axis of rotation and wherein
- the third and the fourth connection surface are arranged so that the displacement of the at least one side wall relative to the bottom in the second direction is enabled in a first rotational position of the side wall and is prevented in a second rotational position.

According to the invention a third connection surface is provided on the bottom and a fourth connection surface is provided on the side wall, at least one of which is cylindrical. In this way it is possible that the third and fourth connection surface are already in engagement during the lifting up of the side wall and thus prevent the pushing in of the side wall. The protection against pushing in is effective not only in the end position of the side, as is the case in the prior art, but also for example when the users of a folding box do not lift up the side walls completely by mistake or fold them in slightly during use unintentionally. The invention is also based on the finding that the users of a folding box do not always use the latter—even if unintentionally—according to the instructions or according to the directions. The generally more stable folding box according to the invention makes a significant contribution to the prior art, as folding boxes are widely used and are also often used for transporting expensive goods. The collapse of a box would be particularly inconvenient in this case.
Advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are described in the subclaims and in the description in conjunction with the Figures of the drawing.
It is an advantage if the second and the third connection surface are convex-cylindrical. In this case one connection surface on the side wall and one connection surface on the bottom are convex cylindrical. This can be achieved relatively easily in terms of manufacturing, as rotary bolts can be molded on the side wall and a rounding can be molded on the bottom.
It is also advantageous if the first and the fourth connection surface are concave-cylindrical. In this case a connection surface on the side wall and a connection surface on the bottom are concave-cylindrical. This variant with the previously mentioned variant is particularly advantageous, as here respectively two cylindrical surfaces cooperate with one another and enable particularly effectively a rotational movement of the side wall.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention the first concave connection surface encloses an angle of 180°, the second convex connection surface an angle of 360°, the third convex connection surface an angle of 180°, and the fourth, concave connection surface an angle of 90°. It is particularly advantageous in this case if a connecting bolt of the side wall is arranged in a half shell of the bottom, as the side wall because of the half shell can be joined particularly easily to the bottom. In addition, by means of a quarter arc-shaped tab or the like, which cooperates with a semi-circular surface on the bottom, the pressing in of the side walls is avoided. Of course, the indicated values are only advantageous guidelines which can also be deviated from, without departing from the concept of the invention. Apart from smaller, structurally determined deviations the third surface can also only enclose an angle of 90°.
It is also advantageous if the first and the second connection surface are locked. In this case the side wall and bottom are joined together permanently, so that their connection can only be released with considerable force. This locking can be achieved for example in that the half shell in the bottom of the folding box encloses an angle of more than 180°. Alternatively, also a tab can be provided for this purpose. If the bolt of the side wall is then pushed into the half shell, the latter locks therein when a specific force is exceeded.
It is particularly advantageous if the first direction parallel to the bottom points away from the inside of the folding box. In this variant of the invention the side wall can only slide out of the half shell in a lying position, and in the direction of the inside of the folding box. As the folding box in this position of the side wall is in a position of rest and in this position in general no objects are conveyed, an unintentional sliding of the side wall out of its bearing does not impair the function of the folding box in particular.
The above embodiments and developments of the invention can be combined in any way.

For a better understanding of the invention the latter is explained in more detail with reference to the following Figures.

In a much simplified representation:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic, perspective view of a folding box;

FIG. 2 a shows a side view of a detail of a first variant of a side wall of a folding box according to the invention;

FIG. 2 b shows a plan view of a detail of the first variant of a bottom of a folding box according to the invention;

FIG. 3 a shows a first cross-sectional view of the first variant of a connection between the side wall and bottom;

FIG. 3 b shows a second cross-sectional view of the first variant of the connection between the side wall and bottom;

FIG. 3 c shows a third cross sectional view of the first variant of the connection between the side wall and bottom;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a second variant of a connection of the side wall and bottom according to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of a third variant of a connection of the side wall and bottom according to the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a fourth variant of a connection of the side wall and bottom according to the invention;

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a fifth variant of a connection of the side wall and bottom according to the invention;

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a sixth variant of a connection of the side wall and bottom according to the invention;

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of a seventh variant of a connection of the side wall and bottom according to the invention.

First of all, it should be noted that in the variously described exemplary embodiments the same parts have been given the same reference numerals and the same component names, whereby the disclosures contained throughout the entire description can be applied to the same parts with the same reference numerals and same component names. Also details relating to position used in the description, such as e.g. top, bottom, side etc. relate to the currently described and represented figure and in case of a change in position should be adjusted to the new position. Furthermore, also individual features or combinations of features from the various exemplary embodiments shown and described can represent in themselves independent or inventive solutions.
The exemplary embodiments show possible embodiment variants of a folding box according to the invention, whereby it should be noted at this point that the invention is not restricted to the embodiment variants shown in particular, but rather various different combinations of the individual embodiment variants are also possible and this variability, due to the teaching on technical procedure, lies within the ability of a person skilled in the art in this technical field. Thus all conceivable embodiment variants, which are made possible by combining individual details of the embodiment variants shown and described, are also covered by the scope of protection.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic, perspective view of a folding box 1 with a bottom 2 and side walls 3 connected pivotably to the bottom. Arrows symbolize how the side walls 3 can be moved from their position of rest to an operational position.
FIGS. 2 a to 3 c show a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 a shows a side view of a section of a side wall 3 with a second convex-cylindrical connection surface b, here a bolt attached by two connecting webs, and a fourth, concave-cylindrical connection surface d, here two tabs that are curved in cross section.
FIG. 2 b shows a plan view of a section of the bottom 2 with a first concave-cylindrical connection surface a, here a half shell for mounting the bolt, and a third, convex-cylindrical connection surface c, here two bearing surfaces designed in the form of semi-circle in cross section. From the drawing it can be seen that the connection surfaces a . . . d do not necessarily need to be continuous, but can also consist of part surfaces.
FIG. 3 a shows a section AA, which shows the interaction of the first and second connection surface a and b, here the bolt of the side wall 3 in a half shell of the bottom 2. The side wall 3 is in this case shown in the folded up position, i.e. the operating position. It can be seen that the side wall 3 cannot be moved relative to the bottom 2 in a first direction x1 but can be moved in a second opposite direction x2.
FIG. 3 b shows a section BB, which shows a part of the cylindrical first connection surface a, which encloses more than 180° and thus ensures the locking of the side wall 3 with the bottom 2.
Lastly, FIG. 3 c shows a section CC, which shows the interaction of the third and fourth connection surface c and d, here the tab of the side wall 3 and the bearing surfaces of the bottom 2. The side wall 3 is shown in turn in an operational position. It can clearly be seen that the side wall 3 cannot be displaced in this position relative to the bottom in the second direction x2. In the position of rest however this is very likely. For this reason the side wall 3 can only be mounted in lying position, as the latter locks in position during lifting up.
It should be noted at this point that the bearing clearance in the Figures is shown to be relatively large for reasons of clarity. In reality of course narrower tolerances are possible and advantageous. All of the cylindrical connection surfaces a . . . d also have a common axis z. This is advantageous, but small deviations can be tolerated.
FIG. 4 shows a second variant of the joint or hinge connection. The first connection surface a and the fourth connection surface d are in this ease concave-cylindrical, the second connection surface b and the third connection surface c are convex-cylindrical. Unlike the arrangement shown in FIGS. 2 a to 3 c here all of the connection surfaces a . . . d are arranged in one plane. Of course this is not mandatory. Instead the first and the second connection surface a and b can be arranged on one plane, the third and fourth connection surface c and d can be arranged in another plane. The function of the arrangement shown in FIG. 4 is very similar to the one shown in FIGS. 2 a to 3 c. Only the third connection surface c encloses an angle of only 90°.
FIG. 5 shows a third variant of the invention which is similar to the second variant. Instead of the cylindrical, first connection surface a here a rectangular first connection surface a is provided, which is possibly easier to produce in terms of manufacturing. Likewise the fourth connection surface d is rectangular and not cylindrical. The function of the arrangement shown in FIG. 5 is overall very similar to the arrangement shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 shows a fourth variant of the invention which is similar to the second variant. Instead of the cylindrical second connection surface b in this case a rectangular second connection surface b is provided. Likewise the third connection surface c is rectangular and not cylindrical.
However, the function of the arrangement shown in FIG. 6 is very similar to the arrangement shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 7 shows a fifth variant of the invention, in which the first connection surface a is open towards the top. The side wall 3 is therefore mounted in this variant from the top. On folding up the side wall 3 the fourth connection surface d grips below the third connection surface c and thus prevents that side wall 3 from being pulled away upwards in the operational position. It is an advantage with this arrangement that the force to be transmitted between the side wall 3 and bottom 2 can be apportioned onto a larger surface.
FIG. 8 shows a sixth variant of the invention in which the first connection surface a is open to the outside, i.e. away from the inside of the box. The side wall 3 is mounted from the outside in this variant. When folding up the side wall 3 the cooperating connection surfaces c and d prevent the side wall 3 from being pulled out in the second direction x2.
Lastly, FIG. 9 shows a seventh variant of the invention. The first connection surface a and the fourth connection surface d are designed to be convex-cylindrical, the second connection surface b and the third connection surface c to be concave-cylindrical. In order to show the fourth connection surface d more effectively, which is not in the shown sectional plane, the side wall 3 has not been indicated here by hatching. This arrangement has a special feature in that pulling out the side wall 3 in the second direction x2 is not prevented directly by the cooperation of the third and fourth connection surface c and d, but indirectly in that the side wall 3 cannot be pulled away upwards and the bolt can thus not jump out of the bearing shell.
It is noted at this point that the shown variants represent only a fraction of the number of possibilities for implementing the idea according to the invention. In particular, the shown combinations between the first/second connection surface a/b and third/fourth connection surface c/d are not mandatory in any way. Rather other combinations are also possible. For example, the first and the second connection surface a and b from FIG. 4 can be combined with the third and fourth connection surface c and d from FIG. 5. Otherwise the first and second connection surface a and b from FIG. 6 can be combined with the third and fourth connection surface c and d from FIG. 4 and so on. Lastly, in addition to the shown rectangular cross sections of the connection surfaces a . . . d other polygonal shapes are possible, for example triangles, pentagons, hexagons and so on.
The common advantage of all of the explicitly and implicitly given variants is that the locking by the third and fourth connection surface c and d is effective even when lifting up the side wall 3 and not as in the prior art only in the end position. The shown and indicated enclosing angles of the connection surfaces are in this case advantageous but not mandatory. A person skilled in the art will easily be able to adapt the predefined details to his requirements. The invention can be applied to only one or more of the side walls 3 of the folding box 1.
Lastly, it should be noted that the components according to the invention can be produced preferably by an injection molding technique using known plastics. However, it is also possible to use other materials of course, in particular various different materials. For example, it is possible to make the first and second connection surface a and b of metal, as the latter are subject to comparatively high levels of stress. However, it is also possible to make the folding box 1 completely out of metal.
Furthermore, the arrangement of the components according to the invention on the longitudinal sides of the bottom 2 and the side wall 3 is not associated in any way with the form shown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b. Any number of the illustrated hinges can be used. Furthermore, also a continuous axle extending over the entire length of a side wall is possible instead of an individual bolt, in particular a metal axle.
Finally, as a point of formality, it should be noted that for a better understanding of the structure of the folding box 1 the latter and its components have not been represented true to scale in part and/or have been enlarged and/or reduced in size.
The problem addressed by the independent solutions according to the invention can be taken from the description.
Mainly the individual embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 can form the subject matter of independent solutions according to the invention. The objectives and solutions according to the invention relating thereto can be taken from the detailed descriptions of said figures.


List of Reference Numerals

1	Folding box
2	Bottom
3	Side wall
a	First connection surface
b	Second connection surface
c	Third connection surface
d	Fourth connection surface
x1	First direction
x2	Second direction
z	Axis

Claims

1. A folding box (1), comprising a bottom (2) and a plurality of side walls (3) connected rotatably with the bottom (2), wherein

the bottom (2) comprises a first concave/convex connection surface (a)

at least one side wall (3) comprises a second convex/concave connection surface (b), which for joining the at least one side wall (3) with the bottom (2) cooperates with the first connection surface (a), wherein

the first and/or the second connection surface (a, b) is cylindrical to enable the said rotational movement about an axis of rotation (z) and wherein

the first and the second connection surface (a, b) are arranged such that a displacement of the at least one side wall (3) relative to the bottom (2) is prevented in at least one first direction (x1) perpendicular to the axis of rotation (z) and is enabled in a second direction (x2) opposite the first direction (x1),

wherein

the bottom (2) has a third concave/convex connection surface (c) and

the at least one side wall (3) has a fourth convex/concave connection surface (d), wherein

the third and/or the fourth connection surface (c, d) is cylindrical to enable the said rotational movement about the axis of rotation (z) and wherein

the third and the fourth connection surface (c, d) are arranged such that a displacement of the at least one side wall (3) relative to the bottom (2) in the second direction (x2) is made possible in a first rotational position of the side wall (3) and is prevented in a second rotational position.

2. The folding box (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second and the third connection surface (b, c) are convex-cylindrical.

3. The folding box (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and the fourth connection surface (a, d) are concave-cylindrical.

4. The folding box (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first, concave connection surface (a) encloses an angle of 180% the second, convex connection surface (b) encloses an angle of 360% the third, convex connection surface (c) encloses an angle of 180% and the fourth, concave connection surface (d) encloses an angle of 90°.

5. The folding box (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and the second connection surface (a, b) are locked.

6. The folding box (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first direction (x1) parallel to the bottom (2) points away from the inside of the folding box (1).