Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a collapsible hopper bin having a dispensing portion and a storage portion. The dispensing portion includes first and second opposing side walls and first and second opposing end walls. The storage portion includes first and second opposing side walls and first and second opposing end walls. The storage portion first and second side walls are hingedly attached to the dispensing portion first and second side walls. The storage portion first and second end walls are hingedly attached to the dispensing portion first and second end walls. The collapsible hopper bin has a collapsed position and a filled position. The storage portion first and second end walls and first and second side walls are substantially horizontally flat along the top of the dispensing portion in the collapsed position.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for engaging and disengaging various members to each other are described herein. The preferred apparatus and methods reduce the number of components and/or sub-assemblies in hinged apparatus and methods and other applications, and simplify and improve the quality and efficiency of installation and removal of latches associated with the hinged elements or members. The latching/locking system and methods of the invention also enable selective relatively permanent engagement of the hinged elements or members to each other, and can permit selective transition between the foregoing hinged and locked relationships. Improved latches are disclosed, with interchangeability, keying to assist assembly, and other features. Methods of fabrication and assembly are disclosed.

Abstract: A collapsible bin container having a base portion and side walls hingedly connected to the base portion. At least one of the side walls includes an integrally formed hinge lug having a first generally cylindrical portion and a second flat angled portion. The base portion includes a corresponding hinge slot having an opening configured to receive the hinge lug only when the side wall is positioned at a first angle with respect to a horizontal surface.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a collapsible hopper bin having a dispensing portion and a storage portion. The dispensing portion includes first and second opposing side walls and first and second opposing end walls. The storage portion includes first and second opposing side walls and first and second opposing end walls. The storage portion first and second side walls are hingedly attached to the dispensing portion first and second side walls. The storage portion first and second end walls are hingedly attached to the dispensing portion first and second end walls. The collapsible hopper bin has a collapsed position and a filled position. The storage portion first and second end walls and first and second side walls are substantially horizontally flat along the top of the dispensing portion in the collapsed position.

Abstract: A bulk bin container having a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall and a fourth side wall, where the first side wall is removable when the container is set up. The first side wall includes a removable hinge element. The first side wall also includes structure on a first side edge of the first side wall and second side edge of the first side wall that mates with corresponding structure on adjacent side walls and allows for the first side wall to be lifted straight upward and removed from the container upon removal of the removable hinge element.

Abstract: A panel (10) for a modular bulk container is described. The panel (10) has a frame (16) and a door (18) pivotally attached to the frame (16) by a hinge (20). The frame (16) has a first frame surface defining a first imaginary plane and an opposing second frame surface defining a second imaginary plane. The door (18) has a first door surface. The hinge (20) is extendable from a portion of the frame (16). The hinge (20) has a single pivoting axis and is movable from a first position in the door closed condition wherein the hinge (20) is entirely located between the first imaginary plane and the second imaginary plane to a second position located outwardly from the first position in a door open condition wherein an angle between the first imaginary plane and the first door surface is less than 30 degrees.

Abstract: A collapsible bin is provided. The bin includes a pair of opposing side panels. The bin further includes a pair of opposing end panels. At least one of the end panels has a first plurality of male interlocking members extending outward a first distance along an upper portion of a first side edge, and a second plurality of male interlocking members extending outward a second distance greater than the first distance along a lower portion of its first side edge. At least one of the side panels includes a plurality of female interlocking members along a first side edge for receiving the first and second pluralities of male interlocking members extending along the first side edge of the at least one side panel.

Abstract: A panel (10) for a modular bulk container is described. The panel (10) has a frame (16) and a door (18) pivotally attached to the frame (16) by a hinge (20). The frame (16) has a first frame surface defining a first imaginary plane and an opposing second frame surface defining a second imaginary plane. The door (18) has a first door surface. The hinge (20) is extendable from a portion of the frame (16). The hinge (20) has a single pivoting axis and is movable from a first position in the door closed condition wherein the hinge (20) is entirely located between the first imaginary plane and the second imaginary plane to a second position located outwardly from the first position in a door open condition wherein an angle between the first imaginary plane and the first door surface is less than 30 degrees.

Abstract: A collapsible bin container having a base portion and side walls hingedly connected to the base portion. At least one of the side walls includes an integrally formed hinge lug having a first generally cylindrical portion and a second flat angled portion. The base portion includes a corresponding hinge slot having an opening configured to receive the hinge lug only when the side wall is positioned at a first angle with respect to a horizontal surface.

Abstract: A collapsible bin container having a base portion and side walls hingedly connected to the base portion. At least one of the side walls includes an integrally formed hinge lug having a first generally cylindrical portion and a second flat angled portion. The base portion includes a corresponding hinge slot having an opening configured to receive the hinge lug only when the side wall is positioned at a first angle with respect to a horizontal surface.

Abstract: A collapsible bin is provided. The bin includes a pair of opposing side panels. The bin further includes a pair of opposing end panels. At least one of the end panels has a first plurality of male interlocking members extending outward a first distance along an upper portion of a first side edge, and a second plurality of male interlocking members extending outward a second distance greater than the first distance along a lower portion of its first side edge. At least one of the side panels includes a plurality of female interlocking members along a first side edge for receiving the first and second pluralities of male interlocking members extending along the first side edge of the at least one side panel.

Abstract: A bulk bin container having a side wall that is removable when the container is set up is disclosed. The side wall can be lifted straight upward and removed from the container.

Abstract: A collapsible bin container having a base portion and side walls hingedly connected to the base portion. At least one of the side walls includes an integrally formed hinge lug having a first generally cylindrical portion and a second flat angled portion. The base portion includes a corresponding hinge slot having an opening configured to receive the hinge lug only when the side wall is positioned at a first angle with respect to a horizontal surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stackable bin having a collapsed position and an erected position. The bin includes a base having an upper surface, a pair of opposing ends, and a pair of opposing sides. In an embodiment of the present invention, the base has raised upper edges along at least one of the pair of opposing sides or opposing ends. The bin also includes a pair of opposing side walls, each side wall attached at a lower edge to a respective base side, each side wall also including an upper edge. The bin further includes a pair of opposing end walls, each end wall attached at a lower edge to a respective base end, each end wall also including an upper edge. The bin includes at least one base notch in at least one raised upper edge of the base to provide forklift fork tine access when the bin is in the collapsed position, and at least one wall notch in the upper edge of at least one of the pair of side walls or end walls to provide forklift fork tine access when the bin is in the erected position.

Abstract: A collapsible bin is provided. The bin includes a base having an upper surface, a pair of opposing ends, and a pair of opposing sides. The bin also includes a pair of opposing side panels. Each side panel is attachable to a respective base side. Each side panel includes an inner face, an outer face, and first and second side edges. The first and second side edges have an upper portion and a lower portion. The bin further includes a pair of opposing end panels. Each end panel is attachable to a respective base end. Each end panel includes an inner face, an outer face, and first and second side edges. The first and second side edges have an upper portion and a lower portion. At least one of the end panels has a first plurality of male interlocking members extending outward a first distance along the upper portion of its first side edge, and a second plurality of male interlocking members extending outward a second distance greater than the first distance along the lower portion of its first side edge.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for hinging or otherwise easily engaging and disengaging various members to each other include a spring-actuated pin element to selectively extend and retract a pin from one hinge leaf to engage an adjacent structure. A variety of spring elements may be used, and the hinge may be combined with other hinge elements in a variety of ways, including an articulated hinge. Methods of fabrication and assembly are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for engaging and disengaging various members (280) to each other are described herein. The preferred apparatus and methods reduce the number of components and/or sub-assemblies in hinged apparatus (270) and methods and other applications, and simplify and improve the quality and efficiency of installation and removal of latches (290) associated with the hinged elements or members (280). The latching/locking system and methods of the invention also enable selective relatively permanent engagement of the hinged elements or members (280) to each other, and can permit selective transition between the foregoing hinged and locked relationships. Improved latches (290) are disclosed, with interchangeability, keying to assist assembly, and other features. Methods of fabrication and assembly are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for hinging or otherwise easily engaging and disengaging various members to each other include a spring-actuated pin element to selectively extend and retract a pin from one hinge leaf to engage an adjacent structure. A variety of spring elements may be used, and the hinge may be combined with other hinge elements in a variety of ways, including an articulated hinge. Methods of fabrication and assembly are disclosed.

Abstract: A panel (10) for a modular bulk container is described. The panel (10) has a frame (16) and a door (18) pivotally attached to the frame (16) by a hinge (20). The hinge (20) is extendable from a portion of the frame (16).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for hinging or otherwise easily engaging and disengaging various members to each other include a spring-actuated pin element to selectively extend and retract a pin from one hinge leaf to engage an adjacent structure. A variety of spring elements may be used, and the hinge may be combined with other hinge elements in a variety of ways, including an articulated hinge. Methods of fabrication and assembly are disclosed.