CONTAINER AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container and a method for producing such a container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers, in particular bag-like or flexible containers including flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC), which are called bulky bags or big bags, consist of side walls that are formed by individual side walls parts.

The present invention provides an improved container that is easy to assemble and repair or disassemble and has a sturdy construction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a container that is easy to load and unload. Another object of the present invention is to provide a container that can be easily assembled and repaired. A further object of the present invention is to provide a container, size and shape of which can be adapted.

The present invention accordingly includes the subject-matter described in the claims.

The present invention provides a container, the container comprising:

- a first wall part forming a first pair of mutual container side walls and a first carrier section therebetween, the first pair of mutual container side walls being connected via the first carrier section;
- a second wall part forming a second pair of mutual container side walls and a second carrier section therebetween, the second pair of mutual container side walls being connected via the second carrier section;
- wherein at least one of the first wall part and the second wall part is longitudinal;
- wherein the first wall part and the second wall part are arranged to form a first container pocket, the first pair of mutual container side walls and the second pair of mutual container side walls surrounding the first container pocket. The first wall part is substantially U-shaped to form the first pair of mutual container side walls. The second wall part is substantially U-shaped to form the second pair of mutual container side walls. The first wall part and the second wall part intersect in the middle so that they lie essentially in the middle of one another or the first carrier section and the second carrier section lie essentially on top of one another.

According to the invention, at least one of the first wall part and the second wall part or one of the first carrier section and the second carrier section forms a container bottom, the other of the first wall part and second wall part or of the first carrier section and the second carrier section forms a pocket bottom of the first container pocket or a strap.

According to the invention, a first pocket opening of the first container pocket opposite the bottom of the pocket is formed by exposed end edges of the first wall part and the second wall part.

According to the invention, a second container pocket may be formed between the pocket bottom and the container bottom, the second container pocket having one or a pair of mutual pocket openings defined between one of the first wall part and the second wall part and a preferably elongated edge of the other of the first wall part and the second wall part are formed.

According to the invention, the first container pocket or the second container pocket or the container can be formed by the first wall part and the second wall part, preferably wherein the first container pocket or the second container pocket or the container consists of the first wall part and the second wall part.

According to the invention, the first wall part and/or the second wall part can be made of a material with a rectangular shape, preferably wherein the material is flexible.

According to the invention, the first wall part and/or the second wall part can each be in one piece.

According to the invention, the first wall part and/or the second wall part can be longitudinal, with the first pair of mutual container side walls and the pocket bottom or the second pair of mutual container side walls and the container bottom being raised by raising the more distant or shorter end edges of the first longitudinal wall part and/or the second longitudinal wall part are formed, preferably wherein the longitudinal edges of the first pair of mutual container side walls are attached to the corresponding adjacent longitudinal edges of the second pair of mutual container side walls, preferably releasably or by releasable connecting means, preferably wherein the releasable connecting means two or four to the corresponding adjacent edges arranged zippers comprising four or eight zipper side parts.

According to the invention, the first wall part and the second wall part are arranged essentially in the middle of one another and transversely to one another.

According to the invention, at least one of the first wall part and the second wall part is longitudinal and a zipper is arranged on its opposite longitudinal edges or at least one zipper side part of a zipper is arranged, which runs along the longitudinal edges up to the first or second carrier section, and preferably traversing the one of the first wall part and the second wall part along the first or second carrier section respectively.

According to the invention, at least the corresponding adjacent longitudinal edges of the first pair of mutual container side walls and the second pair of mutual container side walls can be provided with zip fasteners.

A first longitudinal wall part according to the invention comprises end portions for forming a first pair of mutual container side walls and a middle portion therebetween for forming a first bottom portion of a container, longitudinal edges of the first longitudinal wall part in the end portions each being provided with at least one zipper side part which runs along the edges of an end portion to the middle section. The zipper or at least one zipper side part of the zipper can run along the longitudinal edges up to the central section, preferably traversing first longitudinal wall part along the central section. The middle section is formed without a zipper or zipper staples. The present invention provides a method of forming a container, the method comprising:

Providing a first wall part for forming a first pair of mutual container side walls and a first carrier section therebetween, the first pair of mutual container side walls being connected via the first carrier section, and a second wall part for forming a second pair of mutual container side walls and a second carrier section therebetween, the second pair of mutual container side walls are connected via the second carrier section, at least one of the first wall part and the second wall part being longitudinal;

- arranging the first wall part and the second wall part substantially centrally and transversely of one another;
- forming the first pair of mutual container side walls and the second pair of mutual container side walls by turning up the exposed end edges of the first wall part and/or the second wall part when the first wall part and the second wall part lie on top of and across one another;
- joining the edges of the first pair of mutual container side walls to the corresponding adjacent edges of the second pair of mutual container side walls to form a first container pocket such that the first pair of mutual container side walls and the second pair of mutual container side walls are erected.

According to the invention, by joining the edges of the first pair of mutual container side walls to the corresponding adjacent edges of the second pair of mutual container side walls, a second container pocket can also be formed between the pocket bottom and the container bottom.

The method according to the invention can also include the following:

- providing at least the corresponding adjacent edges of the first pair of mutual container side walls and the second pair of mutual container side walls with zippers or corresponding zipper staples or corresponding zipper side parts; and
- Joining the corresponding adjacent edges of the first pair of mutual container side walls and the second pair of mutual container side walls to one another by closing zippers and corresponding zipper staples and corresponding zipper side parts, respectively.

According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a container having a container body comprising a first wall part to form a first pair of opposing side walls and a second wall part to form a second pair of opposing side walls each of which neighbouring each of the first pair of opposing side walls, wherein the first wall part and the second wall part comprise longitudinal lateral edges and the first wall part and the second wall part are combined along the longitudinal lateral edges thereof partially such that the first wall part and the second wall part intersect forming a bottom portion wherein the bottom portion is accessible external and/or internal of the container or from outside of the container and/or inside of the container. The first pair of opposing side walls and the second pair of opposing side walls and the bottom portion form an enclosure. Hence, the container is accessible between the first pair of opposing side walls and the second pair of opposing side walls from above and between the overlapping portions of the first wall part and the second wall part via the multi-layered bottom portion. Namely, free ends of the first wall part and the second wall part define a main opening. The bottom portion comprises a bottom compartment between the first wall part and the second wall part that is accessible from outside of the container and/or inside of the container via a gap between the first wall part and the second wall part.

The first wall part and the second wall part are U-shaped to form pair of opposing side walls of the container and the bottom portion between the opposing side walls. The first wall part and the second wall part are attached along edges of the side walls. The first wall part and the second wall part are longitudinal and flat. The bottom portion comprises at least an opening providing lateral access to the bottom compartment. Accordingly, the bottom compartment is accessible laterally between the first wall part and the second wall part, via a gap left unattached, along lateral edge portion of one of the first wall part or the second wall part intersecting the other one. Namely, one of the first wall part and the second wall part overlaps the other one, thereby dividing the container in to the bottom compartment and an main compartment formed by the opposing side walls and the bottom portion. In other words, the main compartment is formed by the overlapping one of the first wall part and the second wall part and the opposing side walls formed by the other one of the first wall part and the second wall part. Hence, the upper and/or the bottom compartment are formed by the first wall part and the second wall part, when they are combined.

According to an aspect of the invention, the first wall part and the second wall part are removably attached to each other, preferably via slide fasteners, along their longitudinal lateral edge portions partially such that the bottom portion is accessible laterally between the first wall part and the second wall part at least from outside and/or inside of the container. Slide fasteners arranged at the opposing longitudinal lateral edges provide structural rigidity to the container when assembled. The longitudinal lateral edges of the first wall part and the second wall part are provided with slide fasteners at least partially to provide a container that can be disassembled if desired or to adapt the size of the container to load or to repair the container. First wall part and second wall part having different size and shapes may be assembled in order to adapt size and shape of the container. Namely, a third wall part having different size and/or shape than the second wall part may be replaced with the second wall part to change the overall size and/or shape of the container. Thereby, the third wall part must comprise appropriate toothed tracks corresponding to the toothed tracks of the first wall part.

As a result, the assembled container comprises attachment means at the vertical corners thereof that fix the neighbouring side walls to each other. The attachment means may be formed by sewing, welding, gluing or as separable fasteners or toothed tracks.

The first wall part has a first end portion, a second end portion opposite to the first end portion and a middle portion between the first end portion and the second end portion; and the second wall part has a first end portion, a second end portion opposite to the first end portion and a middle portion between the first end portion and the second end portion; wherein the first wall part and the second wall part are combined such that the middle portion of the first wall part and the middle portion of the second wall part intersect at least partially to form the bottom portion. Namely, one of the middle portions overlaps the other one at least partially. Each of first end portion and second end portion is erected to form a corresponding side wall of the container, thereby forming the flat first wall part and flat second wall part into a U-shape. Each of the first end portion and second end portion comprise a pair of opposing free lateral edges and a free end, an edge of which forming a part of the main opening of the container.

The first wall part and the second wall part may intersect in a crosswise manner such that the middle portion of the first wall part and the middle portion of the second wall part intersect at least partially to form the bottom portion. The middle portion of the first wall part may have a width in a longitudinal direction of the first wall part that is longer or shorter than a width of the middle portion of the second wall part in a transverse direction (lateral direction or widthwise) of the second wall part to generate a space in the bottom compartment.

According to an aspect of the invention, the middle portion of the first wall part and/or the middle portion of the second wall part comprises a slit or hole. The slits or holes provided on the middle portions may overlap at least partially, when the first wall part and the second wall part are combined. A removable cover may be provided between the middle portions in order to cover the slits or holes.

Hence, the container comprises the bottom compartment that is accessible from outside of the container and/or from inside of the container or main compartment between the overlapping middle portions of the first wall part and second wall part. The bottom compartment may be a pocket-like flat compartment and/or comprise a support structure. The support structure may comprise a transport pallet such as a Euro-pallet and/or wheels. The bottom compartment may comprise an access port or a passage between the first wall part and second wall part, through the intersecting middle portions. The support structure and/or the access port may be provided at one or both of the middle portions. The access port may extend from a lateral edge of the middle portion to a side thereof adjacent to the first end portion and/or second end portion. The access port may comprise an opening and closing mechanism to enable and disable accessing to inside of the bottom compartment and/or container there through. This may be especially useful for accessing or discharging the content of the container when loaded. The access port or the passage may comprise a channel or tube with a valve.

Slide fasteners comprise interlocking toothed tracks. Hence, at least the first end portion and the second end portion of the first wall part and the first end portion and the second end portion of the second wall part comprise at their opposing lateral edges toothed tracks of, preferably separate and plurality of, slide fasteners or zippers. As a result, opposing longitudinal edges of the first wall part and the second wall part (when assembled) are partially removably attached to each other via slide fasteners. In other words, neighbouring side walls are removably attached to each other via slide fasteners provided at their opposing lateral edges.

According to an aspect of the present invention, toothed tracks of slide fasteners are arranged at opposing lateral edges of the side walls (or the first end portion and second end portion) between a first end and a second end of each lateral edge. Namely, toothed tracks are arranged at lateral edges of the first and second wall parts between an end forming part of a peripheral edge of a main opening of the container and the middle portion. In other words, toothed tracks are arranged between corners of the first end portion and the second end portion of the first wall part and the second wall part and the middle portions running along the longitudinal lateral edges of the first wall part and the second wall part up to the middle portions.

Each toothed track may comprise a corresponding top stop at the free end providing adaptability of the size of the side walls by separating the zipper parts by moving the zipper sliders towards bottom portion. The slide fastener may be an open-ended separable zipper. Alternatively, each toothed track may comprise a corresponding pin box at the free ends of the first and second wall parts. The toothed track may extend from the free end along the lateral edge. The toothed track may cross the wall part along the middle portion or may end adjacent to the middle portion.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, one of the first wall part and the second wall part comprises a first toothed track of a first slide fastener at the first end portion thereof arranged between a first corner of the first end portion and a second corner of the first end portion crossing the one of the first wall part and the second wall part between the first end portion and the middle portion. Namely, the first toothed track begins at the first corner, runs along the lateral edge to the middle portion, crosses the first end portion along the middle portion and runs along the opposing lateral edge up to the second corner and ends at the second corner. A second toothed track of the first slide fastener corresponding to the first toothed track is arranged at a corresponding lateral edge of the other one of the first wall part and the second wall part between a corner of the first end portion and a corner of the second end portion on the same lateral edge. Namely, the second toothed track of the first slide fastener runs along the corresponding longitudinal lateral edge of the other one of the first wall part and the second wall part. The first slide fastener and the second slide fastener may comprise two-way open-ended separable zipper having X-form and two sliders.

Similarly, the one of the first wall part and the second wall part comprises a first toothed track of a second slide fastener at the second end portion thereof arranged between a first corner of the second end portion and a second corner of the second end portion crossing the second end portion along the middle portion. The second slide fastener may comprise a two-way open-ended separable zipper having X-form and two sliders. Accordingly, a second toothed track of the second slide fastener corresponding to the first toothed track is arranged at a corresponding lateral edge of the other one of the first wall part and the second longitudinal wall running along the corresponding lateral edge of the other one of the first wall part and the second wall part. Namely, other one of the first wall part and the second wall part comprises at the opposing lateral edges thereof the second toothed track of the first slide fastener and the second toothed track of the second slide fastener.

Hence, the side walls comprise a first side wall comprising the first end portion of the first wall part, a second side wall comprising the second end portion of the first wall part, a third side wall comprising first end portion of the second wall part and a fourth side wall comprising the second end portion of the second wall part.

The first wall part and the second wall part may be made of a flexible material to provide flexibility to the container when assembled and disassembled. The first wall part and the second wall part may be made of different materials to adapt the container to special loading requirements. The container may be a flexible container, a bag or a flexible intermediate bulk container.

Present invention provides also a container having a container body comprising a first wall part having a first end portion and an opposing second end portion and a middle portion between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein first wall part is folded along the middle portion and the first end portion and the second end portion are combined along opposing lateral edges to form a pair of opposing side walls, and the middle portion form a bottom portion, wherein the container body is accessible from outside via the bottom portion. The container body is accessible from outside via the bottom portion and between the first end portion and the second end portion, hence between the pair of opposing side walls. The first end portion and the second end portion, namely the opposing side walls form an main compartment adjacent to a bottom compartment formed by the middle portion at the bottom portion.

Present invention provides also a method to produce a container comprising: providing at least a first wall part to form a pair of opposing side walls and a second wall part to form a further pair of two opposing side walls; combining the first wall part and the second wall part such that the first wall part and the second wall part intersect to form a bottom portion such that the bottom portion comprises a bottom compartment between the first wall part and the second wall part that is accessible from outside of the container and/or inside of the container. Namely, the method comprises arranging the first wall part and the second wall part such that one of the first wall part and the second wall part overlaps the other, thereby dividing the container in to the bottom compartment and an main compartment formed by the opposing side walls and the bottom portion.

The method may further comprise providing toothed tracks of slide fasteners along lateral edges of the first end portion and the second end portion of the first wall part and along lateral edges of the first end portion and the second end portion of the second wall part; and removably attaching opposing longitudinal edges of the first wall part and the second wall part to each other at least partially to form the side walls by combining the corresponding toothed tracks. Attaching opposing longitudinal edges includes erecting the side walls by folding the first wall part and the second wall part between their first end portions and middle portions and between their second end portions and middle portions.

Present invention provides also a wall part for a container having a first end portion, a second end portion opposite to the first end portion and a middle portion between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein each of opposing lateral edges of the first end portion and the second end portion of the wall part comprises a toothed track of a slide fastener arranged between a first end of the respective lateral edge and a second end of the respective lateral edge opposing to the first end, namely running from a corner of the lateral edge up to the middle portion. A beginning of each of the toothed tracks may be arranged adjacent to the middle portion.

Present invention provides also a wall part for a container having a first end portion, a second end portion opposite to the first end portion and a middle portion between the first end portion and the second end portion comprising a first toothed track of a first slide fastener at the first end portion thereof arranged between a first corner of the first end portion and a second corner of the first end portion crossing the wall part between the first end portion and the middle portion. The wall part may further comprise a second toothed track of the first slide fastener or a first toothed track of a second slide fastener at the first end portion thereof arranged between a first corner of the first end portion and a second corner of the first end portion crossing the wall part between the first end portion and the middle portion. The wall part may further comprise at each of opposing lateral edges of the second end portion a toothed track of slide fastener arranged between a first end of the respective lateral edge and a second end of the respective lateral edge opposing to the first end.

According to the invention, as the corresponding interlocking toothed tracks of the employed slide fasteners are joined to each other by sliding the respective sliders, the container gets automatically assembled and if the toothed tracks are separated then the container gets automatically disassembled. Hence, as the corresponding interlocking toothed tracks of the employed slide fasteners are joined, the first end portions and the second end portions are folded upward and side walls are erected.

According to the invention, all sliders of the slide fasteners may be provided at the first wall part or at the second wall part in order to enable to reverse the sides of the wall parts. Alternatively, the sliders may be distributed to the first wall part and at the second wall part such that when the first wall part or the second wall part is folded along the middle portion, and the toothed tracks arranged at the first end portion meet the toothed tracks arranged at the second end portion, toothed tracks meeting each other correspond each other and may be closed by sliding the sliders and interlocking the corresponding toothed tracks.

The method may also comprise arranging a support structure and/or an access port at the middle portion of the wall part or between the middle portions.

One of the first wall part and the second wall part may be wider than the other one and the other one of the first wall part and the second wall part may overlap (be placed on top of) the wider one.

One of the first wall part and the second wall part may be equipped with accessories such as extra carrying handles.

Other features of the present invention are defined in the dependent claims. These and further advantages of the current invention are disclosed in the appended claims.

The above disclosed and further features of the current invention will be better understood with the following detailed description and drawings of the preferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above disclosed and further features of the current invention will be better understood with the following detailed description and drawings of the preferred embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1a shows a preferred embodiment of a container according to the invention in an assembled state;

FIG. 1b shows the container of FIG. 1 from below;

FIG. 1c shows a top view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2a shows a further preferred embodiment of a container according to the invention;

FIG. 2b shows a further preferred embodiment of a container according to the invention;

FIG. 2c shows a further preferred embodiment of a container according to the invention from below;

FIG. 2d shows a top view of the container of FIG. 2c;

FIG. 3a shows first and second wall parts of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a disassembled state;

FIG. 3b shows alternative first and second wall parts of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a disassembled state;

FIG. 3c shows a further preferred embodiment container according to the invention assembled in an alternative way;

FIG. 4a shows first wall part of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a disassembled state;

FIG. 4b shows alternative first wall part of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a disassembled state;

FIG. 4c shows further alternative first wall part of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a disassembled state;

FIG. 5a shows second wall part of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a disassembled state;

FIG. 5b shows alternative second wall part of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a disassembled state;

FIG. 5c shows further alternative second wall part of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a disassembled state;

FIG. 6a shows a further preferred embodiment of a container according to the invention;

FIG. 6b shows first wall part of the embodiment of FIG. 6a in a disassembled state;

FIG. 6c shows another preferred embodiment of a container according to the invention;

FIG. 6d shows first wall part of the embodiment of FIG. 6c in a disassembled state.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the appended drawings. Furthermore, terms of direction, such as “forward, backward, lateral, horizontal, vertical, top, bottom, upper, lower, external, internal” are defined, at least in part, with respect to a container during use with the bottom portion based horizontally. However, the container according to the invention may be used in any other orientation, i.e. leaning to or based on a side, upside down etc.

FIG. 1a, 1b, 1c illustrate a preferred embodiment of a container according to the invention comprising an main compartment 55 formed by erected side walls and a multi-layered bottom portion 5 and a bottom compartment 50 formed at the bottom portion 5 adjacent to and under the main compartment 55. The container has a container body 100 comprising a first wall part 110 and a second wall part 120 that are put in U-shape in a crosswise manner to form side walls and the bottom portion 5, whereby the side walls and the bottom portion form an enclosure having an open top. The multi-layered bottom portion 5 is formed by the superposed portions of the first wall part 110 and the second wall part 120. The container body 100 is assembled by attaching: a first end portion 1 of the first wall part 110 to a first end portion 3 and a second end portion 4 of the second wall part 120; and a second end portion 2 of the first wall part 110 to the first end portion 3 and the second end portion 4 of the second wall part 120. The side walls are removably attached to each other via slide fasteners 10, 20, 30, 40 that are open-ended and separable, however the side walls may be attached also by other separable fasteners or fixedly i.e. by sewing, gluing or welding. A middle portion 5″ of the second wall part 120 intersects with a middle portion 5′ of the first wall part 110 such that the middle portion 5″ of the second wall part 120 overlaps the middle portion 5′ of the first wall part 110. The bottom compartment 50 is formed between the middle portion 5′ of the first wall part 110 and the middle portion 5″ of the second wall part 120. The middle portion 5′ of the first wall part 110 forms a base of the container, and the middle portion 5″ of the second wall part 120 forms a base of the main compartment 55. The container shown is a bag made of a flexible material, but other containers having rigid walls may also be formed accordingly. The bottom compartment comprises openings 53 at the bottom portion 5 formed by lateral edges of the first wall part 110 and the middle portion 5″ of the second wall part 120, because the middle portions 5′ of the first wall part 110 is not attached to the second wall part 120, at least partially. Accordingly, the bottom compartment 50 may be accessed through openings 53 externally. Top stops of the open-ended separable slide fasteners 10, 20, 30, 40 are arranged at respective free ends of the first wall part 110 and second wall part 120. Height of any side wall may be adapted by closing the respective slide fastener 10, 20, 30, 40 accordingly. Alternatively, the top stops of the slide fasteners 10, 20, 30, 40 may be arranged adjacent to the middle portions 5′, 5″. According to the configuration shown in FIG. 1a, which is an assembly of the first wall part 110 and second wall part 120 shown in FIGS. 3a, 4a and 5a, the main compartment 55 and the bottom compartment 50 are connected via gaps 54 between the first wall part 110 and the opposing lateral edges of the middle portion 5″ of the second wall part 120, because the middle portion 5″ of the second wall part 120 is not attached to the first wall part 110. Therefore, the bottom compartment 50 is also accessible internally from the main compartment 55. As shown, a width of the middle portion 5′ of the first wall part 110 in a longitudinal direction of the first wall part is longer than a width of the middle portion 5″ of the second wall part 120 in a transverse direction thereof. Also, the first wall part 110 is provided wider than the second wall part 120. However, the sizes of the first wall part 110 and the second wall part 120 may be adapted differently, e.g. the middle portion 5″ of the second wall part 120 may be provided wider instead. One of the first wall part 110 and the second wall part 120 may be equipped with accessories such as extra carrying handles (not shown).

FIG. 3a, 4a, 5a show the first and second wall parts 110, 120 of the embodiment of FIG. 1a made of a flexible material in a disassembled state in a crosswise arrangement. The first wall part 110 comprises toothed tracks 11, 21 of slide fasteners 10, 20 at the first end portion 1 thereof at opposing lateral edges. The second wall part 120 comprises corresponding toothed tracks 12, 22 of slide fasteners 10, 20 respectively at the first end portion 3 and at the second end portion 4 thereof at a lateral edge of the first end portion 3 and at a lateral edge of the second end portion 4 along a longitudinal edge of the second wall part 120, such that the toothed tracks 11, 21 on the first wall part 110 correspond to the corresponding toothed tracks 12, 22 on the second wall part 120, when the side walls are erected by folding the first and second end portions 1, 2 of the first wall part 110, the first and second end portions 3, 4 of the second wall part 120 upwardly in the directions of the arrows shown in FIG. 3a.

Similarly, the first wall part 110 comprises toothed tracks 31, 41 of slide fasteners 30, 40 at the second end portion 2 thereof at opposing lateral edges. The second wall part 120 comprises corresponding toothed tracks 32, 42 of slide fasteners 30, 40 respectively at the first end portion 3 and at the second end portion 4 thereof at a lateral edge of the first end portion 3 and at a lateral edge of the second end portion 4 along a longitudinal edge of the second wall part 120 opposing to the longitudinal edge thereof attaching to the first wall part 110. In this embodiment, two sliders 13, 23 are provided on the toothed tracks arranged at the first wall part 110 and two sliders 33, 43 are provided on the toothed tracks arranged at the second wall part 120. The slide fasteners 10, 20, 30, 40 are open-ended separable zippers pin boxes of which are arranged adjacent to the bottom portion 5.

FIG. 3b, 4b, 5b show an alternative arrangement of the first and second wall parts 110, 120 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a disassembled state. The first wall part 110 comprises a toothed track 11 of a slide fastener 10 at the first end portion 1. The toothed track 11 begins at a corner of the first wall part 110 at the first end portion 1, runs along a lateral edge thereof, crosses the first end portion adjacent to the middle portion 5′ and runs along an opposing lateral edge of the first wall part 110 to a next corner of the first wall part 110 at the first end portion 1. Hence, the toothed track 11 has a U-shape. Similarly, first wall part 110 comprises a toothed track 31 of a slide fastener 30 at the second end portion 2 having a U-shape running from a corner at the second end portion 2 to the next corner at the second end portion 2 crossing the second end portion 2 adjacent to the middle portion 5′. The second wall part 120 comprises a toothed track 12 at a longitudinal lateral edge thereof corresponding to the U-shaped toothed track 11 at the first end portion 1 of the first wall part 110 and a toothed track 32 at an opposite longitudinal lateral edge thereof corresponding to the U-shaped toothed track 31 at the second end portion 2 of the first wall part 110. The slide fasteners 10, 30 are two-way open-ended separable zippers having X-form and two sliders. According to this configuration, there is no gap between the main compartment 55 and the bottom compartment 50, because the middle portion 5″ of the second wall part 120 is attached to the first wall part 110.

FIG. 3c shows an alternative container of the present invention, wherein the first wall part 110 and the second wall part 120 are connected together such that the middle section 5″ of the second wall part 120 is arranged over the opening of the first container pocket 55 and forms a carrying strap.

FIG. 4c, 5c show a further alternative arrangement of the first and second wall parts 110, 120 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a disassembled state, which differs from the embodiment of FIGS. 3a, 4a, 5a in that the toothed tracks 11, 21, 31, 41 provided on the first wall part 110 run from each corner of the first wall part 110 along a corresponding lateral longitudinal edge towards middle portion 5′ and cross the first wall part 110 along the middle portion 5′ partially.

Accordingly, corresponding toothed tracks 12, 22, 32, 42 are provided on the second wall part 120 as shown in FIG. 5c at the opposing longitudinal lateral edges thereof starting pins of which meet centrally at the middle portion 5″. Also this configuration does not provide gaps between the main compartment 55 and the bottom compartment 50.

FIG. 2a shows a further preferred embodiment of a container according to the invention that is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1. The container of FIG. 2a comprises a support structure 51 having wheels 59 arranged between the middle portions 5′, 5″ in the bottom compartment 50. The support structure 51 supports the openings 53, and the middle portions 5′, 5″ to provide a rigid container base and bottom compartment 50. The support structure may comprise a pallet for transportation such as a Euro-pallet. The container comprises an access port arranged between the middle portions 5′, 5″ in the bottom compartment 50 accessible via the opening 53. The first wall part 110 comprises grip openings at both ends thereof. The access port extends into the bottom compartment 50. If the container is made as shown in FIG. 1a, 2a, 3a, then the access between the bottom compartment 50 and the main compartment 55 is free, wherein if the container is made as shown in FIG. 3b, then the access into the main compartment 55 is blocked. If a first wall part 110 shown in FIG. 4c is used with a second wall part 120 shown in FIG. 5c and if the top stops of the zippers are arranged adjacent to the middle portions 5′, 5″, then the access between the bottom compartment 50 and the main compartment 55 is openable by opening the zippers partially.

FIG. 2b shows a further preferred embodiment of a container according to the invention, wherein a first wall part 110 of FIG. 4b is folded along the middle portion such that the corresponding toothed tracks 11, 31 meet each other and are interlocked by sliding the sliders. As the toothed tracks 11, 31 are closed, the container body 100 having a bottom compartment 50 and an main compartment 55 is formed. The first wall part 110 of FIG. 4c may also be used similarly to obtain a similar container body 100 by combining toothed tracks 11, 21 of the first end portion and toothed tracks 31, 41 of the second end portion. The first wall part 110 of FIG. 4c may also be used similarly to obtain a similar container.

FIGS. 2c and 2d show bottom and top views of a further preferred embodiment of a container according to the invention respectively, which differs from other preferred embodiments, wherein the first and second wall parts 110, 120 comprise holes 56, 58, at least partially overlapping in assembled state, and a cover 57 is interposed between the middle portions 5′, 5″ in the bottom compartment 50 to cover the holes 56, 57. The cover 57 may be removed through the openings 53 and the holes 56, 58 provide an additional access to the container. Slit like openings may also be provided instead of the holes 56, 58. It should be pointed out that the edges of the first and second wall parts 110, 120 may be fixedly attached i.e. by sewing, gluing or welding instead of using slide fasteners.

FIGS. 6a and 6c show further embodiments of the present invention, wherein the second wall part 120 of any of the embodiments of FIGS. 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a is combined with the first wall parts 110 having trapezoidal shaped first end portions and second end portions as illustrated in FIGS. 6b and 6d respectively. The resulting containers having trapezoidal profiles are illustrated schematically in FIGS. 6a and 6c respectively.

The preferred embodiments of the invention are described above in the Drawings and Description of Preferred Embodiments. While these descriptions directly describe the above embodiments, it is understood that those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/or variations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Any such modifications or variations that fall within the purview of this description are intended to be included therein as well. Unless specifically noted, it is the intention of the inventor that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meanings to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art. The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment and best mode of the invention known to the applicant at the time of filing the application has been presented and is intended for the purposes of illustration and description.

CONTAINER AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME

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CPC

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