Patent EA-002781-B1 (EA)
Title: Collapsible container with unbroken top wall
Inventor: KOFOD BENT
IPC: B65D6/40
Filed: 1999-11-25
Abstract: 1. Collapsible container for transporting a load and comprising at least one mainly rectangular base section (5), four side sections (1,2,3,4) pivotally connected to each their respective side of the four sides of the bass section (5), a top section (6) which is pivotally connected to a first side section (1), whereby the sections (1,2,3,4,5,6) are adapted to pivot in relation to each other between a first position in which they in rows are extending mainly parallel across each other, and a second position in which they jointly are defining a chamber for containing the load, the top section (6) is constructed as an unbroken top wall (fi) which in the second position of the sections, is extending between the top edges of the side sections (1,2,3,4), and that this top wall is adapted to describe a combined pivoting and displacing movement when it is guided between its second position and a thirty position in which the top wall is extending mainly parallel to the first side section (1) in the second position of this side section, the top wall (6) is connected to the first side section by means of at least one guide rod (34) pivotally connected at one end to the first side section and at the other end to an area at the side of the top wall that adjoins the top side of the fist side section when the top wall (6) and the first side section (2) are in their second position. 2. Collapsible container according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one slide (32) is constructed on the top wall (6), said slide is extending in the same direction as the top wall is moving when it is guided between its second and third position, and that a pivoting guide (38) is pivotally mounted topmost on the first side section (1) for displaceably accommodating said slide (32). 3. Collapsible container according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a guide rod (34) is pivotally placed mainly in the middle of each of the upright sides of the first side section (1) in second position and that an angular pivoting guides (38) is pivotally placed topmost on each of these sides for each displaceably accommodating a slide (32) constructed on the top wall (6). 4. Collapsible container according to any of the claims 1-3. characterised in that on each of the sides of the top wall (6) that is extending transversely to the direction in which the top wall is moving when it is guided between its second and third position, a slide (32) is constructed in form of a projecting flange, and that the corresponding pivoting guide (38) in cross section is shaped as an angle (38), one leg (39) of which is extending across the flange while the other leg is pivotally connected to the upright side bar (13) of the first side wall in second position. 5. Collapsible container according to any of the claims 1-4, characterised in that the pivotal engagement of the at least one guide rod (34) with the top wall (5) takes place by means of an axle journal (35) constructed on the guide rod and pivotally journaled in a bearing (36) in form of a U-shaped clamp (36) placed on the underside of the top wall and having a greater length than the transverse size of the axle journal. 6. Collapsible container according to any of the claims 1-5, characterised in that at least one catch (42) is placed on the top wall (6), said catch engaging with an area topmost on the first section (1) in the second position of the top wall and fixing the top wall in relation to this, and that at least one second catch (40) is placed topmost on at least one of the other side sections (2,3,4), said catch engaging with the top section and fixing this in relation to the respective side section. 7. Collapsible container according to any of the claims 1-6, characterised in that the at least one catch (44;45) on at least one of the two side sections (3,4) extending transversely to the direction in which the top wall (6) is moving when it is guided between its second and third position is formed as a hook (44,45) that in the second position is extending up through a slot (46) made in the projecting flange (32) of the top wall. 8. Collapsible container according to any of the claims 1-7, characterised in that the slot (46) is extending obliquely outwardly in relation to the direction in which the top wall (6) is moving when it is guided from the third to the second position. 9. Collapsible container according to any of the Claims 1-8, characterised in that a lock (47) is placed on the top wall (6) and lock fittings (48) are placed topmost on the opposite side (2) of the first side section (1), and that the lock (47) and lock fittings (48) are adapted to engage each other in the second position in such a way that the lock fittings (48) are pulled in towards the lock (47) when this one is activated.