Collapsible container
Folding containers , folding boxes, folding boxes, folding boxes or folding / folding containers are angular containers that are usually made from cardboard or plastic . By folding or folding a flat-lying shape, a cuboid container is erected. For return transport or storage when empty, the volume reduction by merging saves storage space and transport space. The first folding boxes in Europe were developed in 1979 by Walther Faltsysteme in Kevelaer .
General
Folding and folding containers are mostly manufactured from plastic granulate using an injection molding process. For this purpose, heat-liquefied plastic is pressed into metal molds under high pressure. In principle, folding and folding boxes can be used for the same purposes as rigid stacking containers (e.g. nestable containers ) made of plastic. The manipulable side walls, however, ensure lower loads on the foldable and foldable containers, which can limit their range of uses. If suitable sizes are used, folding and folding boxes on trolleys can be combined to form complete mobile shipping towers that are used in retail outlets for store picking .
Collapsible container
Collapsible containers have a solid upper frame and are folded up by folding the long walls over a central hinge like an accordion . This technology can save up to 80% volume. The sides and the bottom of the collapsible container are usually closed. Due to the surrounding upper edge, collapsible containers are less susceptible to lateral pressure and torsion than collapsible containers. However, you achieve less volume reduction than this, as the surrounding edge remains as an upright element after folding. Common folding boxes are manufactured up to a size of 800 mm × 600 mm.
These containers are mostly used in the non-food sector (dry goods, packaged goods). Folding boxes are particularly widespread in retail branch distribution. They are also well suited for use in automated storage systems where the containers are conveyed and sorted entirely by machine. Special forms of the collapsible container are the conductive variants that can dissipate static charges through the use of special plastics . They are used to transport electronically sensitive goods.
Collapsible container
In this category, the side walls hinged to the base are folded inwards to reduce volume. There is no stabilizing upper framework. The side parts are rigid and not, as with the folding boxes, interrupted by a central hinge. These boxes are mostly perforated in the bottom and on the sides and are used to transport fruit and vegetables. Air flows around the goods, water residues can flow off better and if the goods need to be cooled, the cold can penetrate better to the food. Due to the design without a circumferential edge, the collapsible containers can be folded up to an extremely low level for return transport. A volume reduction of up to 87% can be achieved. Folding boxes are a little more difficult to handle than collapsible containers, as all four side walls have to be manipulated individually. Due to the lack of a stabilizing frame, they are not very rigid. Folding boxes are usually produced in sizes up to a maximum of 600 mm × 400 mm.
- Folding a collapsible container
Individual evidence
- ↑ Company Wiki, entry Walther Faltsysteme. ( Memento of the original from March 10, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , accessed December 11, 2011.
- ↑ YouTube video showing how folding boxes work , accessed on December 11, 2011.
- ↑ A. Gumbrecht, F.Banzer, Introduction of a Container Management System, A Guide for the Automotive Industry, undated
- ↑ FM Logistik-Magazin 6/2011, p.10 ff .. (PDF; 1.7 MB)
- ↑ youtube video that shows how folding boxes work. , accessed December 11, 2011.
- ↑ Fruit container patent EP2256049
