EP0846625A2 - Light and collapsible transport container - Google Patents

Abstract

The container comprises a structure (1A) constituted from edge pieces (2,3,4) and upper, lower and side walls. The edge pieces are arranged to comprise a lower polygonal plate (8) with a support base on a support. An upper plate (9) is positioned parallel to the lower plate at a distance from it. Columns (3) extend between the two plates on three vertical edges parallel to the container with their ends (3A,3B) held in the plate corners. One of the side walls is constituted from layers of a supple material.

Description

The invention relates to a light and removable container For transport.

The invention relates more particularly to a container approximately rectangular parallelepiped, for the transport of clothing, not limited by air.

A result which the invention aims to obtain is a container which, while being light and robust, on the one hand, is easily removable for transport under a volume reduced when empty and, on the other hand, has means intended to preserve the integrity of its load.

Another result which the invention aims to obtain is a container which can be used in any means of transport, to transport objects or articles between a manufacturing unit and a storage unit, or even marketing of these objects or articles.

• livrés par un moyen de transport terrestre à un transporteur aérien,
• placés dans un avion pour être transportés,
• déchargés de l'avion et placés sur un moyen de transport terrestre afin d'être livrés à une unité d'entreposage ou de commercialisation.

For example, the container of the invention receives a batch of garments from a manufacturing unit so that they can be, without any other manipulation than that of the container:

• delivered by land transport to an air carrier,
• placed on a plane to be transported,
• unloaded from the aircraft and placed on land transportation for delivery to a storage or marketing unit.

• au moins l'une des parois latérales du conteneur constituées par des nappes de matériau souple, est, d'une part, par une rive supérieure, associée à une nappe de matériau destinée à constituer la paroi supérieure du conteneur et, d'autre part, par chacune des deux rives latérales verticales qu'elle comprend, associée à une rive latérale d'une paroi latérale contigüe, et ce, par un moyen de liaison démontable, et
• les éléments que sont, d'une part, la pièce de rive de la platine inférieure qui est destinée à s'étendre au droit de la rive inférieure de la nappe considérée et, d'autre part, au moins ladite rive, sont équipées de butées complémentaires, en vue leur immobilisation relative, et ce, de manière à entraver le soulèvement de la nappe latérale.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a container comprising a structure constituted by means of edge pieces and upper, lower and side walls, at least some of which are formed by sheets of flexible material, this container being characterized in that than :

• at least one of the side walls of the container constituted by plies of flexible material is, on the one hand, by an upper edge, associated with a ply of material intended to constitute the upper wall of the container and, on the other hand , by each of the two vertical lateral banks which it comprises, associated with a lateral bank of an adjoining lateral wall, and this, by a removable connection means, and
• the elements that are, on the one hand, the edge piece of the lower plate which is intended to extend to the right of the lower edge of the sheet considered and, on the other hand, at least said edge, are equipped with complementary stops, in view of their relative immobilization, and this, so as to hamper the lifting of the side ply.

• figure 1 : une vue en perspective de la structure du conteneur de l'invention,
• figure 2 : à plus grande échelle, un détail de réalisation du conteneur dont la structure est représentée en figure 1,
• figure 3 : le conteneur de l'invention à l'état monté, vu en coupe dans un plan approximativement médian et vertical,
• figure 4 : une vue en coupe selon A-A du conteneur de la figure 3,
• figure 5 : le conteneur de l'invention à l'état démonté, vu en coupe dans un plan approximativement médian et vertical,
• figure 6 : une vue latérale d'un conteneur selon l'invention,
• figure 7 : à plus grande échelle, une vue en coupe transversale, selon B-B,
• figure 8 : une vue en coupe d'un conteneur selon l'invention équipé de moyens de suspension de cintres, d'un moyen d'assemblage de deux rives latérales de deux des nappes latérales constituant des parois du conteneur représenté en figure 6.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description below given by way of nonlimiting example with regard to the attached drawing which schematically represents:

• FIG. 1: a perspective view of the structure of the container of the invention,
• FIG. 2: on a larger scale, a detail of embodiment of the container, the structure of which is shown in FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3: the container of the invention in the assembled state, seen in section in an approximately median and vertical plane,
• FIG. 4: a sectional view along AA of the container of FIG. 3,
• FIG. 5: the container of the invention in the disassembled state, seen in section in an approximately median and vertical plane,
• FIG. 6: a side view of a container according to the invention,
• FIG. 7: on a larger scale, a cross-sectional view, along BB,
• FIG. 8: a sectional view of a container according to the invention equipped with hanger suspension means, of a means of assembling two lateral edges of two of the lateral plies constituting walls of the container shown in FIG. 6.

• une platine inférieure 8 de forme polygonale, notamment sensiblement quadrilatère rectangle, présentant un piétement d'appui sur un support S,
• une platine supérieure 9 de forme également polygonale, notamment, approximativement quadrilatère rectangle, destinée à être positionnée sensiblement parallèlement à la platine inférieure 8 et à une distance déterminée de celle-ci,
• des colonnes 3 destinées à s'étendre entre les deux platines 8, 9 selon au moins trois arêtes verticales 1B approximativement parallèles du conteneur et avec leurs extrémités 3A, 3B maintenues à des angles des platines 8, 9 par des moyens 10 à cet effet.

Referring to the drawing, a container 1 is seen comprising, on the one hand, a structure 1A constituted by means of edge pieces 2, 3, 4 and, on the other hand, upper 5, lower 6 and lateral 7 walls , at least some of which are formed by plies of flexible material, the edge pieces 2, 3, 4 of this container 1 being organized in such a way that it comprises:

• a lower plate 8 of polygonal shape, in particular substantially quadrilateral rectangle, having a support base on a support S,
• an upper plate 9 which is also polygonal in shape, in particular approximately a rectangular quadrilateral, intended to be positioned substantially parallel to the lower plate 8 and at a determined distance therefrom,
• columns 3 intended to extend between the two plates 8, 9 along at least three vertical edges 1B approximately parallel to the container and with their ends 3A, 3B maintained at angles of the plates 8, 9 by means 10 for this purpose.

Advantageously, the columns 3 extend to all angles of the plates.

In an exemplary embodiment not shown, at least one of the upper and lower layers is produced by a plate of rigid material, such as a sheet, or flexible material such as toasting.

Advantageously, but not limited to, the so-called parts edge 2, 3, 4 are tubular parts.

In an alternative embodiment, the so-called edge pieces 2, 3, 4 are profiled parts.

In order to facilitate the reading of the drawings, only the parts 2, 4 constituting the main plates 8, 9 have been represented.

Specifically, any struts that extend between the main parts 2, 4 constituting the plates 8, 9 have not been shown in all the figures.

Means S1 for hanging clothes hangers have shown in figure 8.

• une pluralité d'éléments E longilignes souples qui, de longueur au moins égale à une fraction de la distance séparant les platines inférieure 8 et supérieure 9, comportent chacune une pluralité d'orifices E1, espacés d'un pas déterminé et chacun à même de permettre l'engagement d'un crochet C1 de suspension d'un cintre C,
• au moins indirectement porté par la platine supérieure 9, une pluralité de points de fixation 9F chacun d'un élément longiligne E, en vue de sa suspension.

The means S1 for hanging clothes hangers C include:

• a plurality of flexible elongate elements E which, of length at least equal to a fraction of the distance separating the lower 8 and upper 9 plates, each comprise a plurality of orifices E1, spaced apart by a determined pitch and each capable of allow the engagement of a hook C1 for hanging a hanger C,
• at least indirectly carried by the upper plate 9, a plurality of fixing points 9F each of an elongated element E, with a view to its suspension.

Advantageously, but not limited to, the elements flexible long lines E consist of straps and holes E1 provided in these straps are each delimited by an eyelet, preferably of metallic material.

The skilled person is able to determine the location elongated elements at the level of the upper plate and to choose the pitch which separates the orifices E1 from each element slender in order to rationalize the loading of the container.

Advantageously, the lower plate 8 has a function of pallet and, for this purpose, it has means M1 for support and guidance of a forklift fork (not represented).

Also advantageously, the upper plate 9 carries M2 support means for the elements of the base of support on the ground carried by a lower plate 8 of a container.

Remarkably, the bottom plate 8 and the upper plate 9 of container 1 have spans P1, P2 for their support and centering in the absence of columns 3.

These scopes have only been shown in FIG. 5.

This allows containers 1 to be stacked, whether disassembled or not.

• au moins l'une des parois latérales 7 du conteneur 1 constituées par des nappes 7 de matériau souple, est, d'une part, par une rive supérieure 7A, associée à une nappe 5 de matériau destinée à constituer la paroi 5 supérieure du conteneur 1 et, d'autre part, par chacune des deux rives latérales verticales 7R qu'elle comprend, associée à une rive latérale d'une paroi latérale contigüe, et ce, par un moyen 16 de liaison démontable, et
• les éléments que sont, d'une part, la pièce de rive 4 de la platine inférieure 8 qui est destinée à s'étendre au droit de la rive inférieure 7B de la nappe 7 considérée et, d'autre part, au moins ladite rive 7B, sont équipées de butées complémentaires 7C, 7D, 7E, 11A, 12A, 13A en vue leur immobilisation relative, et ce, de manière à entraver le soulèvement de la nappe latérale.

Remarkably:

• at least one of the side walls 7 of the container 1 constituted by plies 7 of flexible material, is, on the one hand, by an upper edge 7A, associated with a ply 5 of material intended to constitute the upper wall 5 of the container 1 and, on the other hand, by each of the two vertical lateral banks 7R which it comprises, associated with a lateral bank of an adjoining lateral wall, and this, by a removable connection means 16, and
• the elements which are, on the one hand, the edge piece 4 of the lower plate 8 which is intended to extend to the right of the bottom edge 7B of the ply 7 considered and, on the other hand, at least said edge 7B, are equipped with complementary stops 7C, 7D, 7E, 11A, 12A, 13A in view of their relative immobilization, and this, so as to hamper the lifting of the side ply.

• des colonnes 3 destinées à s'étendre entre deux platines supérieure 9 et inférieure 6,
• plusieurs parois latérales 7 qui sont formées par des nappes de matériau souple,

permet l'obtention du résultat de l'invention, à savoir un conteneur qui, tout en étant léger et robuste, d'une part, est facilement démontable en vue d'être transporté sous un volume réduit lorsqu'il est vide et, d'autre part, comporte des moyens destinés à préserver l'intégrité de son chargement.The fact that the container of the invention comprises:

• columns 3 intended to extend between two upper 9 and lower 6 plates,
• several side walls 7 which are formed by plies of flexible material,

allows the result of the invention to be obtained, namely a container which, while being light and robust, on the one hand, is easily removable in order to be transported under a reduced volume when empty and, d on the other hand, includes means intended to preserve the integrity of its load.

• au moins deux opposées des parois latérales 7 du conteneur 1 constituées par des nappes 7 de matériau souple, sont, par une rive supérieure 7A, associée à une nappe 5 de matériau destiné à constituer la paroi 5 supérieure du conteneur 1, et
• les éléments que sont, d'une part, au moins les deux pièces de rive 4 de la platine inférieure 8 qui sont destinées à s'étendre chacune au droit d'une des rives inférieures 7B des nappes 7 opposées et, d'autre part, au moins les dites rives 7B, sont équipées de butées complémentaires 7C, 7D, 7E, 11A, 12A, 13A en vue leur immobilisation relative, et ce, de manière à entraver le soulèvement de chaque nappe latérale.

In a preferred embodiment:

• at least two opposite side walls 7 of the container 1 constituted by plies 7 of flexible material, are, by an upper edge 7A, associated with a ply 5 of material intended to constitute the upper wall 5 of container 1, and
• the elements which are, on the one hand, at least the two edge pieces 4 of the lower plate 8 which are intended to each extend in line with one of the lower strands 7B of the opposing plies 7 and, on the other hand , at least the said edges 7B, are equipped with complementary stops 7C, 7D, 7E, 11A, 12A, 13A with a view to their relative immobilization, and this, so as to hamper the lifting of each lateral ply.

Notably, when the container is made up and resting on a support S, the lower edge of each wall lateral 7 extends below the plane of the lower wall 6.

Advantageously, the means 10 for holding the columns 3 consists of a means 10 for assembly by interlocking.

• les butées 7C, 7D, 7E qui équipent les rives inférieures 7B des nappes sont constituées au moins localement par les surfaces latérales 7D, 7E et de découpe 7C d'au moins un oeillet 7F monté dans la nappe 7,
• au moins certaines 11A, 12A des butées 11A, 12A, 13A qui équipent la platine inférieure 8 sont des surfaces 11A, 12A portées par des pièces 11, 12 chacune au moins indirectement reliée à la dite platine inférieure 8 et disposée pour, d'une part, coopérer avec les surfaces latérales 7D, 7E et de découpe 7C d'un oeillet 7F et, d'autre part, recevoir en appui une face d'une nappe latérale située au niveau de sa rive inférieure 7B.

Remarkably:

• the stops 7C, 7D, 7E which equip the lower edges 7B of the sheets are formed at least locally by the lateral surfaces 7D, 7E and of cutting 7C of at least one eyelet 7F mounted in the sheet 7,
• at least some 11A, 12A of the stops 11A, 12A, 13A which equip the lower plate 8 are surfaces 11A, 12A carried by parts 11, 12 each at least indirectly connected to said lower plate 8 and arranged for, on the one hand, cooperate with the lateral surfaces 7D, 7E and of the cutout 7C of an eyelet 7F and, on the other hand, receive in support a face of a lateral ply located at its lower edge 7B.

Preferably, the parts 11 intended to cooperate each with an eyelet 7F, consist of members 11 which, from cross section capable of being engaged in the cut 7C of this eyelet 7F are, on the one hand, projecting from a surface 12A for supporting a lateral ply 7 by a face located at its lower bank 7B and, on the other hand, themselves equipped with a transverse hole 11B intended to receive a part 13 which, said to be locking, has a surface 13A intended to oppose the release of the eyelet 7F.

Advantageously, the so-called locking part 13 consists in a cable 13 whose ends are equipped with a means of meeting by a connecting piece.

The meeting means consists, for example, of a link sealing, i.e. a link whose ends are joined by a lead, such as a lead affixed by a customs.

Preferably, the cable 13 is a metal cable of which the ends are fitted with a closed loop for their meeting by the means therefor.

• chaque moyen de liaison démontable 16 de deux rives latérales 7R de nappes latérales entre elles met en oeuvre, d'une part, des pontets 16A et des oeillets 16B qui sont solidaires desdites rives latérales et disposés pour coopérer et, d'autre part, un lien 16C de verrouillage des oeillets 16B sur les pontets 16A,
• chaque lien 16C de verrouillage, d'une part, a une longueur sensiblement égale à la hauteur d'une paroi latérale et, d'autre part, présente deux extrémités 16D, 16E dont, une première 16D, dite supérieure, qui est immobilisée sur l'une des nappes à assembler, et ce, au niveau supérieur de cette nappe et, une seconde 16E, dite inférieure, qui est équipée d'une boucle fermée quant à elle destinée au passage de la pièce 13 de verrouillage des rives inférieures des nappes latérales.

Remarkably,

• each dismountable connecting means 16 of two lateral strands 7R of lateral plies between them implements, on the one hand, bridges 16A and eyelets 16B which are integral with said lateral strands and arranged to cooperate and, on the other hand, a link 16C for locking the eyelets 16B on the bridges 16A,
• each locking link 16C, on the one hand, has a length substantially equal to the height of a side wall and, on the other hand, has two ends 16D, 16E including a first, called upper 16D, which is immobilized on one of the plies to be assembled, and this, at the upper level of this ply and, a second, called lower 16E, which is equipped with a closed loop for its part intended for the passage of the piece 13 for locking the lower edges of the side tablecloths.

Preferably, the sheets are of dimensions such that the side edges which are intended to be assembled are overlap (Figures 6 and 7).

Advantageously, in each group of two banks intended to be superimposed, one of the two banks carries a 16G flap for covering the other bank, which bib is fitted with 16H eyelets intended to be engaged on the bridges 16A, so as to allow in a way a pinching from one bank to the other.

These provisions are intended to hinder the passage of hand of a person and whose guarantee the integrity of the container.

Preferably and remarkably, the walls upper side 5 and side 7 of the container are assembled so as to constitute a cap C intended to be nested on the structure in a direction substantially parallel to columns 3.

Also remarkably, the bottom wall 6 comprises a plurality of eyelets 15 arranged according to alignments each substantially parallel to each of these edges 6A and the lower plate 8 carries alignments of parts 12 arranged so as to each constitute at least one stop 12A intended to cooperate with the internal surface 15A of a eyelet 15.

Remarkably, the parts 11 intended to cooperate each with the internal surface 7C delimiting the cutting of a eyelet 7F carried by a lower edge 7B of a sheet lateral 7, on the one hand, are laterally carried by a part support 12 which, of cross section capable of being engaged in an eyelet 15 of the lower ply 6, extends projecting above an upper face 8A of the lower plate 8 and, on the other hand, are themselves sized to allow the engagement of each eyelet 15 of the lower ply 6.

On the one hand, the support pieces 12 consist of rigid legs carried by the lower plate 8, projecting with respect to its upper face and, on the other hand, the pieces 11 intended to cooperate with the internal surface delimiting the cutting of an eyelet 7F carried by the lower bank 7B of a lateral ply 7, each consisting of a part 11 produced by a segment of rigid wire substantially shaped in a U and of which the ends of the branches are associated with a rigid leg 12.

The sheet constituting the bottom wall of the container is is therefore locked as a result of locking the side tablecloths.

Claims (9)

Container (1) comprising, on the one hand, a structure (lA) constituted by means of edge pieces (2, 3, 4) and, on the other hand, upper (5), lower (6) and lateral walls (7), at least some of which are formed by sheets of flexible material, the edge pieces (2, 3, 4) of this container (1) being organized in such a way that it comprises: a lower plate (8) of polygonal shape, having a support base on a support (S), an upper plate (9), also of polygonal shape, intended to be positioned substantially parallel to the lower plate (8) and at a determined distance from the latter, columns (3) intended to extend between the two plates (8, 9) along at least three vertical edges (1B) approximately parallel to the container and with their ends (3A, 3B) maintained at angles of the plates (8, 9) by means (10) for this purpose, this container being CHARACTERIZED in that: at least one of the side walls (7) of the container (1) constituted by plies (7) of flexible material, is, on the one hand, by an upper edge (7A), associated with a ply (5) of material intended to constitute the upper wall (5) of the container (1) and, on the other hand, by each of the two vertical lateral edges (7R) which it comprises, associated with a lateral edge of an adjoining lateral wall, and this, by a removable connection means (16), and the elements that are, on the one hand, the edge piece (4) of the lower plate (8) which is intended to extend in line with the lower edge (7B) of the ply (7) considered and, d 'other hand, at least said bank (7B), are equipped with complementary stops (7C, 7D, 7E, 11A, 12A, 13A) in-view their relative immobilization, and this, so as to hamper the lifting of the side ply . Container according to claim 1 characterized in that: at least two opposite side walls (7) of the container (1) constituted by plies (7) of flexible material, are, by an upper edge (7A), associated with a ply (5) of material intended to constitute the wall (5) upper part of the container (1), and the elements which are, on the one hand, at least the two edge pieces (4) of the lower plate (8) which are intended to each extend in line with one of the lower edges (7B) of the plies (7 ) opposite and, on the other hand, at least the said edges (7B), are equipped with complementary stops (7C, 7D, 7E, 11A, 12A, 13A) for their relative immobilization, and this, so as to hamper the lifting of each side table. Container according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that: each removable connection means (16) of two lateral edges (7R) of lateral layers between them implements, on the one hand, bridges (16A) and eyelets (16B) which are integral with said lateral edges and arranged to cooperate and, on the other hand, a link (16C) for locking the eyelets (16B) on the bridges (16A), each locking link (16C), on the one hand, has a length substantially equal to the height of a side wall and, on the other hand, has two ends of which, a first, called upper, which is immobilized on the one of the plies to be assembled, and this at the upper level of this ply and a second, called lower, which is equipped with a closed loop for its part intended for the passage of the piece (13) for locking the lower edges of the plies side. Container according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the upper side (5) and side (7) walls of the container are assembled so as to constitute a cap (C) intended to be fitted onto the structure in one direction substantially parallel to the columns (3). Container according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lower wall (6) comprises a plurality of eyelets (15) arranged in alignments each substantially parallel to each of these edges (6A) and the lower plate ( 8) carries alignments of parts (12) arranged so as to each constitute at least one stop (12A) intended to cooperate with the internal surface (15A) of an eyelet (15). Container according to claim 5 characterized in that the parts (11) each intended to cooperate with the surface (7C) delimiting the cutting of an eyelet (7F) carried by a lower edge (7B) of a lateral ply (7) , on the one hand, are laterally carried by a support piece (12) which, of cross section capable of being engaged in an eyelet (15) of the lower ply (6), extends projecting above an upper face (8A) of the lower plate (8) and, on the other hand, are themselves dimensioned to allow the engagement of each eyelet (15) of the lower ply (6). Container according to Claim 6, characterized in that, on the one hand, the support parts (12) consist of rigid lugs carried, by the lower plate (8), projecting with respect to its upper face and, on the other hand , the parts (11) intended to cooperate with the internal surface (7C) delimiting the cutting of an eyelet (7F) carried by the lower edge (7B) of a lateral ply (7), each consist of a part (11 ) produced by a segment of rigid wire shaped like a U and the ends of the branches of which are associated with a rigid tab (12). Container according to any one of Claims 3 to 7, characterized in that in each group of two banks intended to be superposed, one of the two banks carries a flap (16G) for covering the other bank, which flap is equipped with eyelets (16H) intended to be engaged on the bridges (16A), so as to allow in a way a pinching of a bank by the other. The means (S1) for hanging clothes hangers (C) include: a plurality of flexible elongate elements (E) which, at least equal in length to a fraction of the distance separating the lower (8) and upper (9) plates, each have a plurality of orifices (E1), spaced apart a determined pitch and each capable of allowing the engagement of a hook C1 for hanging a hanger (C), at least indirectly carried by the upper plate (9), a plurality of fixing points (9F) each of a slender element (E), with a view to its suspension.

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