FR2753176A1 - Light container for transporting items - 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 an approximately rectangular parallelepiped container 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 in order to be transported under a reduced volume when it is empty and, on the other hand , includes 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, with a view to transporting objects or articles between a manufacturing unit and a storage unit, or even of marketing these objects. or articles.

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 an airplane for transport,
- unloaded from the plane and placed on a land transport to be delivered to a storage or marketing unit.

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 part, 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 complementary stops, in view of their relative immobilization, and this, so as to hamper the lifting of the side ply.

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
- Figure 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,
- Figure 5: the container of the invention being dismantled, 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,
a means of assembling two lateral edges of two of the lateral plies constituting walls of the container shown in FIG. 6.

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 a 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 the angles of the plates.

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

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

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

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

 Specifically, possible spacers which extend between the main parts 2, 4 constituting the plates 8, 9 have not been shown.

 Also, means for hanging clothes have not been shown.

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

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

 Remarkably, the lower plate 8 and the upper plate 9 of the container 1 have complementary bearing surfaces P1, P2 for their support and centering in the absence of the columns 3.

 These scopes have only been shown in FIG. 5.

 This allows containers 1 to be stacked, whether they are in the disassembled state or not.

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 that are, on the one hand, the edge piece 4 of the lower plate 8 which is intended to extend to the right of the lower edge 7B of the ply 7 considered and, on the other hand, at least said shore 7B, are equipped with complementary stops 7C, 7D, 7E, llA, 12A, 13A with a view to their relative immobilization, and this, so as to hamper the lifting of the side ply.

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 that 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 part, at least the said edges 7B, are equipped with complementary stops 7C, 7D, 7E, llA, 12A, 13A in view of their relative immobilization, and this, so as to hamper the lifting of each side ply.

 In a notable manner, when the container is made up and supported on a support S, the lower edge of each side wall 7 extends under 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.

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 llA, 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 each to cooperate with an eyelet 7F, consist of members 11 which, of cross section capable of being engaged in the cutout 7C of this eyelet 7F are, on the one hand, projecting d 'A surface 12A for supporting a lateral ply 7 by a face situated at its lower edge 7B and, on the other hand, themselves equipped with a transverse perforation 11B intended to receive a part 13 which, called locking, has a surface 13A intended to oppose the release of the eyelet 7F.

 Advantageously, the so-called locking part 13 consists of a cable 13 the ends of which are equipped with means for joining together by a connecting part.

 The joining means consists, for example, of a sealing link, that is to say a link whose ends are joined by a lead, such as a lead affixed by a customs officer.

 Preferably, the cable 13 is a metal cable whose ends are equipped with a closed loop with a view to joining them together by means for this purpose.

Remarkably,
each dismountable connecting means 16 of two lateral banks 7R of lateral plies between them implements, on the one hand, bridges 16A and eyelets 16B which are integral with said lateral banks 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 16D, called upper, 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 banks side tablecloths.

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

 Advantageously, in each group of two edges intended to be superimposed, one of the two edges 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 somehow allow a pinch from one bank to the other.

 These provisions are intended to obstruct the passage of a person's hand and to guarantee the integrity of the container.

 Preferably and remarkably, 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 a direction substantially parallel to the columns 3.

 Also remarkably, 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.

 Remarkably, the parts 11 intended to cooperate each with the internal 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 part 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 authorize the engagement of each eyelet 15 of the lower ply 6.

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

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

Claims (10)

 1. Container (1) 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) walls and lateral (7), 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, 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 which 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, on the other hand, at least said bank (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 .  2. 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 upper wall (5) of the container (1), and  - the elements that 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 hinder the lifting of each side table.  3. Container according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that  - the stops (7C, 7D, 7E) which equip the lower edges (7B) of the sheets are formed at least locally by the lateral (7D, 7E) and cutting (7C) surfaces of at least one eyelet (7F) mounted in the tablecloth (7),  - at least some (11A, 12A) of the stops (IIA, 12A, 13A) which equip the lower plate (8) are surfaces (llA, 12A) carried by parts (11, 12) each at least indirectly connected to the said lower plate (8) and arranged to, on the one hand, cooperate with the lateral (7D, 7E) and cutting (7C) surfaces of an eyelet (7F) and, on the other hand, receive in support a face a lateral tablecloth located at its lower bank (7B).  4. Container according to claim 3 characterized the parts (11) intended to cooperate each with an eyelet (7F), consist of members (11) which, of cross section able to be engaged in the cutout (7C) of this eyelet (7F) are, on the one hand, projecting from a surface (12A) supporting a lateral ply (7) by a face situated at its lower edge (7B) and, on the other hand part, themselves equipped with a transverse perforation (lob) intended to receive a part (13) which, called locking, has a surface (13A) intended to oppose the release of the eyelet (7F).  5. Container according to claim 4 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 for 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 including a first, called upper, which is immobilized on the 'one of the layers to be assembled, and this at the upper level of this layer 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 side tablecloths.  6. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the upper side walls (5) and side (7) of the container are assembled so as to constitute a cap (C) intended to be fitted onto the structure in a direction substantially parallel to the columns (3).  7. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 6 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 plate lower (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).  8. Container according to claim 7 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 sized to allow the engagement of each eyelet (15) of the lower ply (6).  9. Container according to claim 8 characterized in that, on the one hand, the support parts (12) consist of rigid tabs carried, by the lower plate (8), projecting relative 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 side ply (7), each consist of a part (11) produced by a rigid wire segment shaped like a U and the ends of the branches of which are associated with a rigid tab (12).  10. Container according to any one of claims 4 to 9 characterized in that the part (13) called locking consists of a cable (13) whose ends are equipped with a means of assembly by a connecting piece.