VEHICLE TRANSPORT CONTAINER

Abstract

 A substantially parallelepiped containment box (2) has at least one outlet opening (7) delimited by a perimeter frame (8). A door (9) is movable between an opening condition and a closing condition in which it abuts against the perimeter frame (8). At least one hinge (14) has a fixed part (15) rigidly carried by the containment box (2) and a movable part (16) rigidly carried by the door (9). The movable part (16) is rotatable with respect to the fixed part (15) about a hinging axis (Y), and radially translatable to the hinging axis (Y) moving away from and approaching the perimeter frame (8). A protrusion (24) and an abutment seat (25) respectively carried by one and the other of said door (9) and containment box (2) are mutually couplable by interference to bring the door (9) closer to the perimeter frame (8) in the closing condition.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle transport container. For the purposes of the present description, "vehicle transport container" or more simply "container" means a parallelepiped box-like structure adapted to be installed on the frame of an industrial vehicle used for the transport of goods or materials. For example, typical containers are those made according to ISO standards.

[0002] The object of the present invention is conveniently applicable to roll-off containers used for the collection of waste, and in particular the separate collection thereof, to which particular reference will be made in the course of the present description. However, different uses are not to be excluded. For the purpose of waste collection, the use of roll-off containers is known which, placed in the recycling areas or at other collection sites, are suitable for receiving the waste delivered by citizens and/or by personnel responsible for the collection service. Such containers can be equipped with a compaction system which, with the aid of movable pushers normally moved by hydraulic actuators, are suitable for acting on the waste accumulated on the bottom of a loading chamber placed at a front end of the container itself, to push it into a storage compartment in which the waste is compacted so as to increase the loading capacity. After filling, the container is suitable to be hoisted onto the frame of a motor vehicle or a trailer for the purpose of transporting the waste to other treatment sites. The waste accumulated in the storage compartment is typically unloaded through an outlet opening normally closed by a door. Generally, the door has at least one hinged panel, for example along a vertical side of its perimeter extension, to a corresponding side of the box which delimits the storage compartment. Clamping devices operate along a side opposite the hinging side of the door, to retain it in the closing condition. In many cases, the panel of the door carries an external hooking member used to allow the container to be rolled on and off.

[0003] To avoid the uncontrolled escape of leachate or other liquid substances accumulated together with the waste, a strong gasket in elastomeric material is normally associated with the door panel. When the door is closed, such a gasket must necessarily be compressed between the door and a perimeter frame which delimits the outlet opening.

[0004] In the state of the art, obtaining the closing of the door panel is a rather difficult operation. The Applicant has found that such difficulties are at least partly attributable to the fact that the squeezing of the gasket between the panel and the opening frame opposes the approach of the panel, making the final step of the closing movement difficult. The terminal step of the closing movement is further hindered by significant friction and rubbing created between the gasket and the metal abutment parts, which also tend to cause early wear of the gasket, especially along the hinging side of the door.

[0005] To facilitate the closing operation, in some applications the friction created by the mechanical members forming the clamping device is exploited, to temporarily retain the door in the closing condition in the time frames preceding the operation of the clamping device for the purpose of the door's stable locking. When the door is manually pushed towards the closing condition, the inertia given by the relevant moving mass causes a forced coupling of the components of the clamping device respectively mounted on the panel and on the box, developing therewith a sufficient friction to counteract the reaction due to the squeezing of the gasket for a short time.

[0006] However, this is a rather empirical expedient, which does not ensure high reliability also in the face of several factors, including possible torsional deformations in the presence of a not perfectly flat road. The need to exploit the above friction forces also precludes the adoption of measures aimed at facilitating the closing of the door, minimizing the friction developed between the components of the clamping devices, with consequent difficulties in obtaining the movement of the latter in the operating position and over-stressing risks on the respective control levers.

[0007] A further limitation found in the prior art is the difficulty in obtaining an optimal structural strength at the hinges which constrain the door panel to the box. In this regard, it should be noted that during the loading and unloading steps, the container is lifted and/or supported at the aforementioned hook, and the hinges are consequently subjected to high stresses, due to the weight of the entire container and its content.

[0008] When the container is equipped with an internal material compaction system, the door must also withstand the thrust exerted by the compacted material. This circumstance leads to further criticalities in the strength of the hinges.

[0009] It has also been found that the state of compression of the gasket in the closed condition tends to cause a sudden and uncontrolled opening of the door when the clamping device is operated to allow the opening thereof, with a consequent danger of injury to the operator and/or other people present in the areas near the door. The object of the present invention is to overcome one or more of the limits detectable in the prior art.

[0010] In particular, the aim is to facilitate the closing/opening operation of the door panel, avoiding that the pressing of the gasket during the closing step makes the final part of the closure difficult.

[0011] It is also intended to limit the phenomena of the gasket rubbing against the surfaces of the panel and/or the perimeter frame when opening and closing the door.

[0012] A further object of the invention is to reduce the stresses imposed on the hinge joints, due to the thrust of the material and/or during the loading/unloading steps of the box on the vehicle.

[0013] Finally, the aim is to facilitate the operation of the clamping devices, to limit the tendency to a sudden opening of the door following the operation thereof.

[0014] More in particular, the object of the present invention is a vehicle transport container, comprising: a substantially parallelepiped containment box having at least one outlet opening delimited by a perimeter frame; at least one door movable between a closing condition in which it abuts against the perimeter frame, and an opening condition in which it is moved away from the outlet opening. Constraint devices arranged along a hinging side of the door to the box comprise at least one hinge having a fixed part rigidly carried by the box and a movable part rigidly carried by the door. The movable part is rotatable with respect to the fixed part about a hinging axis. The movable part is also radially translatable to the hinging axis in moving away from and approaching the perimeter frame. The constraint devices also comprise a protrusion and an abutment seat respectively carried by one and the other of said door and box. Said protrusion and abutment seat are mutually couplable by interference to bring the door closer to the frame, translating the hinging side of the door along a radial direction to said hinging axis, when the door reaches the closing condition. The radial mobility of the movable part of the hinge due to the mutual interaction between the protrusion and the respective abutment seat limits the compression of the gasket, favouring the mobility of the door until a substantial orientation is reached parallel to the extension plane of the perimeter frame, causing the door to approach the frame with consequent squeezing of the gasket only in the final part of the movement aimed at reaching the closing condition. The interaction between the protrusion and the abutment seat also allows the stresses transmitted to the door to be unloaded on the box due to its own weight and/or the container being lifted, as well as due to the thrust exerted by the compacted material in the storage compartment. In fact, such stresses can be transmitted to the box without significantly stressing the hinge. More in particular, such stresses lend themselves to being conveyed outside the movable part of the hinge, and discharged to the box through the fixed part of the hinge itself, in relation to which the attachment surfaces available on the box allow the arrangement of attachments having optimal dimensions and strength.

[0015] One or more convenient embodiments of the invention can further comprise at least one or more of the following preferential features. Preferably, the movable part of the hinge is radially translatable to the hinging axis according to a measure between 3mm and 10mm. Preferably, the door has a perimeter extension comprising said hinging side, an abutting side opposite the hinging side, and two connecting sides between the hinging side and the abutting side.

[0016] Preferably, said perimeter frame lies in at least one closing plane orthogonal to a longitudinal extension direction of the containment box.

[0017] Preferably, the containment box internally has a storage compartment delimited between a pair of vertical walls and a pair of horizontal walls, extending parallel to a longitudinal extension direction starting from a rear wall carrying said outlet opening substantially in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal extension direction.

[0018] Preferably, the hinging axis is parallel to the hinging side.

[0019] Preferably, the hinging axis and the hinging side extend according to a vertical direction.

[0020] Preferably, the fixed part of the hinge is made in the form of a plate having an attachment portion rigidly fixed to the box and a support portion extending on the continuation of the attachment portion.

[0021] Preferably, the support portion is cantilevered with respect to the perimeter frame, adjacent to the hinging side of the door.

[0022] Preferably, the support portion has a tubular terminal in which a hinge pin is coaxially inserted, defining said hinging axis.

[0023] Preferably, the movable part of the hinge has a plate-like attachment portion fixed to the hinging side of the door and at least one support bracket carrying a hinging slot through which the hinge pin is engaged. Preferably, the fixed part and the movable part of the hinge are mutually constrained by a hinge pin engaged through at least one hinging slot.

[0024] The interaction between the pin and the slot allows the radial mobility of the movable part with respect to the fixed part.

[0025] Preferably, the hinging slot has an elongated conformation in a direction perpendicular to the perimeter frame.

[0026] Preferably, the hinging slot is perimetrally delimited between a pair of mutually spaced longitudinal edges according to a measure substantially equal to a diameter dimension of the hinge pin, and a pair of mutually spaced end edges according to a measure greater than the diameter dimension of the hinge pin.

[0027] A mechanical clearance is therefore achieved which allows a selective mobility of the door towards and away from the perimeter frame. Preferably, the hinging slot is formed in the movable part of the hinge, and the hinge pin is axially inserted through a tubular terminal carried by the fixed part.

[0028] Preferably, said protrusion and abutment seat are respectively carried by the door and by the frame.

[0029] Preferably, said protrusion is made in the form of a substantially cylindrical pin cantilevered from a perimeter edge of the door.

[0030] The use of a pin directly integral with the door allows to discharge the stresses on the fixed part of the hinge, minimizing the stresses transmitted to the movable part.

[0031] Preferably, the pin protrudes from a surface substantially orthogonal with respect to the lying plane of the perimeter frame in the closing condition. Preferably, a geometric axis of the pin lies according to a parallel plane which is offset with respect to the hinging axis.

[0032] Preferably, in the closing condition a geometric axis of the pin is substantially parallel to a lying plane of the perimeter frame.

[0033] Preferably, in the closing condition a lying plane of a geometric axis of the pin is interposed parallel between the closing plane and a containment plane parallel to the closing plane and containing the hinging axis. Preferably, the pin extends through an opening arranged in the movable part of the hinge.

[0034] It is thus possible to increase the anchoring area of the hinge to the door without interfering with the pin.

[0035] Preferably, the abutment seat is defined by an abutment slot obtained in the fixed part of the hinge.

[0036] Preferably, the abutment seat has a lower edge acting in a sliding contact relationship against the protrusion to at least partially discharge the weight of the door on the fixed part.

[0037] Preferably, the abutment seat has an upper edge acting in a sliding contact relationship against the protrusion to at least partially discharge the weight of the container on the fixed part.

[0038] Preferably, the lower and/or upper edges of the abutment seat are mutually spaced according to a measure corresponding to a diameter dimension of the protrusion, so as to act against the same in the closing condition of the door.

[0039] Preferably, the abutment seat extends towards the perimeter frame starting from its own distal edge acting in a sliding contact relationship against the protrusion to bring the door closer to the perimeter frame itself upon reaching the closing condition.

[0040] Preferably, the distal edge of the abutment seat has at least a substantially straight section.

[0041] Preferably, the protrusion has a flat surface arranged according to an inclined orientation with respect to a geometric axis of the protrusion itself. Preferably, the distal edge of the abutment seat is configured to interact with said flat surface.

[0042] Preferably, an initial contact of the protrusion against the distal edge of the abutment seat occurs when the door reaches an ajar condition. Preferably, in the closed position the door has an orientation substantially parallel to the closing plane.

[0043] Preferably, in the closed position the door has an inclined orientation with respect to the closing plane according to an angle not exceeding 5°. Preferably, when the closed condition is reached, an abutting side of the door opposite the hinging side is spaced from the perimeter frame according to a measure not exceeding 50-60 mm.

[0044] Preferably, a sealing gasket is also included which is operatively interposed between a perimeter edge of the door and the perimeter frame and elastically compressed therebetween when the closing condition is reached.

[0045] Preferably, clamping devices are also included, arranged along one side of the perimeter frame opposite the hinging side.

[0046] Preferably, the clamping devices comprise at least one clamping pin protruding from an edge of the door and operatively engageable by a hooking element operatively constrained to the box.

[0047] Preferably, the hooking element is movable between a disengaged position. Preferably, it frees the clamping pin, and a tightening position. Preferably, it engages the clamping pin to retain the door in the closed condition.

[0048] Preferably, during the translation towards the engagement position, the coupling element imposes a translation of the clamping pin towards the box.

[0049] Preferably, the translation of the hinging side of the door on the action of said protrusion and abutment seat occurs in conjunction with the translation of the coupling element from the disengaged position to the clamping position.

[0050] The action of the control lever of the coupling element can therefore be exploited to complete the movement of the door in the closing condition. Preferably, the door rotates towards the closing condition in the absence of interference between said protrusion and the abutment seat, until reaching an ajar condition.

[0051] Preferably, the clamping pin positioned along a movement trajectory of the coupling element towards the clamping position.

[0052] Preferably, the coupling element engages the clamping pin in correspondence with an idle roller rotatably carried by the clamping pin itself.

[0053] Therefore, the operation of the clamping devices is simplified.

[0054] Further features and advantages will become more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred, yet not limiting, embodiment of a vehicle transport container, according to the present invention. Such a description will be set out hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings given only for illustrative and, therefore, non-limiting purpose, in which:

• figure 1 shows a perspective view of a roll-off transport container in accordance with the present invention;
• figure 2 shows an enlarged detail of figure 1, highlighting a door associated with a rear wall of the container;
• figure 3 shows an enlarged detail highlighting a constraint hinge of the door;

figure 4 highlights in perspective and exploded view a fixed part and a movable part of the hinge:

• figure 5 shows a detail highlighting the side view of the hinge in the closing condition;
• figures 6 to 8 show in top view the detail of figure 2 with the door panel respectively in the opening condition, in the ajar condition and in the closing condition;
• figures 9 to 11 show an enlarged detail sectioned according to the line A-A of figure 5, highlighting the behaviour of the hinge in the different operating conditions of the door;
• figures 12 and 13 show a detail highlighting the clamping devices in side view, respectively in the ajar condition and in the closing condition of the door;
• figure 14 is an enlarged detail and in section of figure 7, highlighting an idle roller forming part of one of the hooking elements carried on the door.

[0055] With reference to the mentioned figures, number 1 generally indicates a roll-off transport container, in accordance with the present invention.

[0056] The container 1 comprises a substantially parallelepiped containment box 2, internally having at least one storage compartment 3 laterally delimited between a pair of vertical walls 4, respectively right and left, and a pair of horizontal walls 5, respectively upper and lower, extending parallel to a longitudinal extension direction starting from a rear wall 6. The rear wall 6 has an outlet opening 7, which preferably substantially affects the entire extension thereof, delimited by a perimeter frame 8 lying substantially in a closing plane C orthogonal to the longitudinal extension direction L of the containment box 2.

[0057] A door is associated with the outlet opening 7, essentially defined by at least one door 9 to which a hooking member 9a can be associated, typically usable for carrying out the usual operations of rolling the container on and off the frame of a motor vehicle. Along the perimeter extension of the door 9, which substantially coincides with the extension of the perimeter frame 8, a hinging side 10, preferably vertical, can be identified, an abutting side 11 opposite and parallel to the hinging side 10, and two connecting sides 12, preferably horizontal, between the hinging side 10 and the abutting side 11.

[0058] The door 9, rotatably constrained to a corresponding side of the perimeter frame 8 along its hinging side 10 by means of constraint devices 14 better described below, is movable between a closing condition in which it acts against the perimeter frame 8 (figures 1, 2, 8 and 12), and an opening condition in which it is moved away from the outlet opening 7 (figure 6).

[0059] At least one sealing gasket 13 is operatively interposed between a perimeter edge of the door 9 and the perimeter frame 8 and is elastically compressed therebetween when the closing condition is reached. In the example shown, the sealing gasket 13 is fixed along at least a part of the perimeter extension of the door 9, but can possibly be fixed along the perimeter frame 8 of the containment box 2.

[0060] The constraint devices comprise one or more hinges 14 arranged along the hinging side 10. In the example shown there are two hinges 14 suitably spaced along the hinging side 10. For simplicity of presentation, the present description will mainly refer to a single hinge 14, the other being able to be substantially identical.

[0061] Each hinge 14 has a fixed part 15 rigidly carried by the containment box 2 and a movable part 16 rigidly carried by the door 9. The fixed part 15 can be conveniently made in the form of a plate having an attachment portion 17 fixed to the containment box 2, for example by welding or bolting on the perimeter frame 8, and a support portion 18 extending on the continuation of the attachment portion 17 and projecting cantilevered with respect to the perimeter frame 8, adjacent to the hinging side 10 of the door 9. The support portion 18 has a tubular terminal 19 in which a hinge pin 20 is coaxially inserted, extending along a hinging axis Y. The hinging axis Y, preferably vertical and/or parallel to the hinging side 10, can coincide with the geometric axis of the hinge pin 20.

[0062] The movable part 16 is rotatably connected with respect to the fixed part 15 about the hinging axis Y, and can conveniently have a plate-like attachment portion 21 fixed to the hinging side 10 of the door 9, for example by welding or bolting. Two support brackets 22 orthogonally protrude from respectively opposite sides of the plate-shaped attachment portion 21, each bracket bearing a hinging slot 23, through which the hinge pin 20 is engaged. The fixed part 15 and the movable part 16 of the hinge 14 are therefore mutually constrained by the hinge pin 20 engaged through each of the hinging slots 23 obtained in the movable part 16. Each hinging slot 23 has an elongated conformation in a direction perpendicular to the perimeter frame 8 and/or transverse to the closing plane C. More in particular, the hinging slot 23 is perimetrally delimited between a pair of longitudinal edges 23a mutually spaced apart according to a measure substantially equal to a diameter dimension of the hinge pin 20, and a pair of end edges 23b, respectively proximal and distal to the perimeter frame 8, mutually spaced apart according to a measure greater than the diameter dimension of the hinge pin 20.

[0063] The action of the longitudinal edges 23a against the hinge pin 20 locks the fixed part 15 of the hinge 14 in its horizontal and parallel movements to the closing plane C. At the same time, the hinging slot 23 is free to slide radially with respect to the hinge pin 20 in the space delimited between its end edges 23b, so that the fixed part 15 can move horizontally, indicatively according to a measure between 3mm and 10mm, in a direction perpendicular to the closing plane C, moving away from and approaching the perimeter frame 8.

[0064] The constraint devices further comprise a protrusion, preferably in the form of a pin 24, and an abutment seat, preferably in the form of a slot 25, respectively carried by the door 9 and the containment box 2, or vice versa, and mutually coupled by interference when the door 9 is about to reach the closing condition.

[0065] The pin 24 is substantially cylindrical and extends along its own geometric axis Z so as to project cantilevered from a side surface of the perimeter edge of the door 9, preferably through a through opening 26 arranged in the plate-like attachment portion 21 of the movable part 16. When the door 9 is in the closed condition, the side surface from which the pin 24 protrudes is oriented orthogonally with respect to the closing plane C defined by the perimeter frame 8, and the geometric axis Z of the pin 24 consequently extends in a direction parallel to the same closing plane C, in a respective lying plane K parallel and offset with respect to the hinging axis Y. More in particular, as better seen in figure 5, in the closing condition the lying plane K of the pin 24 is parallel between the closing plane C and a containment plane W, parallel to the same containment plane C and containing the hinging axis Y.

[0066] The abutment slot 25 can be conveniently obtained in the support portion 18 and longitudinally delimited between two end edges, respectively proximal 25a and distal 25b with respect to the perimeter frame 8, and two horizontal edges, respectively lower 26c and upper 26d. During the movement of the door 9 from the opening condition towards the closing condition, the pin 24 is suitable for being inserted through the abutment slot 25. As better seen in figure 5, the lower edge 25c of the abutment seat or slot 25 is suitable for acting in a sliding contact relationship against the protrusion or pin 24 when the door 9 is brought into the closing condition. Preferably, the lower edges 25c and upper edges 25d are mutually spaced according to a measure corresponding to a diameter dimension of the pin 24, so as to be suitable to both act against the same in the closing condition of the door 9. The action of the pin 24 against the lower edge 25c of the abutment slot 25 allows at least a part of the weight of the door 9 to be discharged directly onto the fixed part 15 of the hinge 14, so as to lighten the stresses transmitted through the movable part 16 of the hinge 14. At the same time, the action of the pin 24 against the upper edge allows to unload the stresses on the fixed part 15 of the hinge 14 which are due to the weight of the container, when the same is lifted through the hook 9a for the purposes of rolling on/off operations.

[0067] It is also preferably envisaged that, when the door 9 is about to reach the closing condition, the pin 24 mechanically interferes against the distal end edge 25b of the abutment seat 25 in a sliding contact relationship, so as to bring the door 9 closer to the perimeter frame 8 when the closing condition is reached.

[0068] Appropriate chamfers and/or tapering guides on the pin 24 and/or in the abutment seat 25 can facilitate their mutual engagement and/or determine an adequate pushing action of the hinging side 10 of the door 9 towards the perimeter frame 8 due to the rotation of the door itself about its hinging axis Y. For example, the distal edge 25b of the abutment seat 25 can have at least one substantially straight section, configured to interact with a flat surface 24a arranged on the pin or protrusion 24 according to an orientation which is inclined with respect to the geometric axis Z.

[0069] More in particular, when the door 9 is in the opening condition as shown in figures 6 and 9, the pin 24 is disengaged from the abutment seat 25, and the hinge pin 20 is consequently free to move within the hinging slot 23. In an initial step of the approach of the door 9 to the closing condition, the hinging side 10 of the door 9 can therefore assume and maintain a positioning slightly farther from the perimeter frame 8 of the containment box 2, until bringing the hinge pin 20 against the proximal end edge 23b of the hinging slot 23, to prevent or limit the squeezing of the sealing gasket 13 against the perimeter frame 8. The door 9 can therefore rotate freely without causing significant compressions of the sealing gasket 13, while the pin 24 engages in the abutment seat 25 until it reaches an interference relationship against the distal end edge 25b of the seat itself. Preferably, the initial contact of the pin 24 against the distal end edge 25b occurs approximately when the door 9 reaches an ajar condition in which, as shown in figures 7 and 10, it has an orientation substantially or almost parallel to the closing plane C, or in any case inclined with respect to the latter according to an angle α not greater than 3° - 5°. As the movement of the door 9 from the ajar condition to the closed condition progresses, the interference of the pin 24 against the abutment seat 25 imposes a progressive approach on the hinging side 10 of the door 9 towards the perimeter frame 8, radially to the hinging axis Y, determining the compression of the sealing gasket 13.

[0070] It can be conveniently envisaged that upon reaching the closed condition the hinged side 11 of the door 9 is spaced from the perimeter frame 8 according to a measure not exceeding 70 mm, such as to be suitable for the easy engagement by clamping devices 27 installed along the side of the perimeter frame 8 opposite the hinging side 10.

[0071] The clamping devices 27 can comprise one or more clamping pins 28 each of which protrudes from an edge of the door 9 at the hinged side 11. The clamping pins 28 are operatively engageable by respective hooking elements 29 operatively constrained to the containment box 2 and movable, through a control lever 30, between a disengaged position (figure 12) in which they each free the respective clamping pin 28, and a clamping position (Figure 13) in which they engage the clamping pins 28 to retain the door 9 in the closed condition. It can be envisaged that when the door 9 is in the ajar condition, each clamping pin 28 is positioned along a trajectory described by the movement of the respective coupling element 29 towards the clamping position. During the translation from the disengaged position to the clamping position, the hooking elements 29 can therefore engage the clamping pins 28 and impose a movement thereon in the direction of the perimeter frame 8, to assist the translation of the door 9 from the ajar condition to the closed condition, and the simultaneous translation of the hinging side 10 of the door 9 due to the cooperation of the pins 24 in the abutment seats 25 of the respective hinges 14. It can conveniently be envisaged that each clamping pin 28 coaxially carries an idle roller 31 (figure 14), in correspondence with which the engagement by the respective coupling element 29 occurs. The friction produced by the interference of the coupling elements 29 on the clamping pins 28 is thus significantly reduced, so as to facilitate the operation of the clamping devices 27 and the compression of the sealing gasket 13 by the door 9 when the closing condition is reached.

[0072] The opening of the door 9 can be easily performed after movement of the hooking elements 29 towards the disengaged position. In this step, the elastic reaction of the sealing gasket 13 determines the spontaneous movement of the door 9 towards the closed condition. The consequent removal of the hinging side 10 from the perimeter frame 8 discharges the mechanical compression of the sealing gasket 13, significantly eliminating or limiting the risk of a sudden spontaneous opening of the door 9 beyond the closed condition.

Claims

1. Vehicle transport container, comprising:

a substantially parallelepiped containment box (2) having at least one outlet opening (7) delimited by a perimeter frame (8);

at least one door (9) movable between a closing condition in which it abuts against the perimeter frame (8), and an opening condition in which it is moved away from the outlet opening (7);

constraint devices arranged along a hinging side (10) of the door (9) to the containment box (2) and comprising:

at least one hinge (14) having a fixed part (15) rigidly carried by the containment box (2) and a movable part (16) rigidly carried by the door (9);

wherein the movable part (16) is rotatable with respect to the fixed part (15) about a hinging axis (Y);

wherein the movable part (16) is also radially translatable with respect to the hinging axis (Y), moving away from and approaching the perimeter frame (8);

wherein the constraint devices also include a protrusion (24) and an abutment seat (25) respectively carried by one and the other of said door (9) and containment box (2);

wherein said protrusion (24) and abutment seat (25) are mutually couplable by interference to bring the door (9) closer to the frame, translating the hinging side (10) of the door (9) along a radial direction to said hinging axis (Y), when the door (9) is reaching the closed condition.

2. Container according to claim 1, wherein the fixed part (15) and the movable part (16) of the hinge (14) are mutually constrained by means of a hinge pin (20) engaged through at least one hinge slot (23).

3. Container according to claim 2, wherein the hinging slot (23) has an elongated conformation in a direction perpendicular to the perimeter frame (8).

4. Container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the hinging slot (23) is perimetrally bounded between a pair of longitudinal edges (23a) mutually spaced according to a measure substantially equal to a diametrical dimension of the hinge pin (20), and a pair of end edges (23b) mutually spaced apart by an extent greater than the diametrical dimension of the hinge pin (20).

5. Container according to one or more of claims 2 to 4, wherein the hinging slot (23) is formed in the movable part (16) of the hinge (14), and the hinging pin (20) is axially inserted through a tubular terminal (19) carried by the fixed part (15).

6. Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said protrusion (24) and abutment seat (25) are respectively carried by the door (9) and by the perimeter frame (8).

7. Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said protrusion is made in the form of a substantially cylindrical pin (24) projecting cantilevered from a perimeter edge of the door (9).

8. Container according to claim 7, wherein in the closed condition a geometrical axis of the pin (24) is substantially parallel to a plane (K) of the perimeter frame (8).

9. Container according to claim 7 or 8, wherein in the closed condition a plane (K) of a geometric axis of the pin (24) is parallel interposed between a closing plane (C) defined by the perimeter frame (8) and a containment plane (W) of the hinging axis (Y).

10. Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the protrusion (24) extends through a through opening (26) arranged in the mobile part (16) of the hinge (14).

11. Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the abutment seat is defined by an abutment slot (25) obtained in the fixed part (15) of the hinge (14).

12. Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the abutment seat (25) has a lower edge (25c) acting in sliding contact relationship against the protrusion (24) to at least partially transmit the weight of the door (9) to the fixed part (15), and/or an upper edge (25d) acting against the protrusion (24) to at least partially transmit the weight of the container (1) to the fixed part (15).

13. Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the abutment seat (25) extends towards the perimeter frame (8) starting from its own distal end edge (25b) acting in sliding contact relationship against the protrusion (24) to bring the door (9) closer to the perimeter frame itself when the closing condition is being reached.

14. Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein an initial contact of the protrusion (24) against the distal end edge (25b) of the abutment seat (25) occurs when the door (9) reaches an ajar condition, in which it has an orientation almost parallel to a closing plane (C) defined by the perimeter frame (8).

15. Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one locking pin (28) protruding from an edge of the door (9) and operatively engageable by a hooking element (29) operatively constrained to the containment box (2), wherein the hooking element (29) engages the locking pin (28) in correspondence with an idle roller (31) rotatably carried by the locking pin (28) itself.

Drawing