COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER WITH MULTIPLE RETRACTABLE WALLS

Abstract

In some embodiments, a collapsible container includes a base and a plurality of walls including a first wall and an adjacent second wall. The first wall and the second wall each include a U-shaped frame hingeably secured to the base and at least one section pivotably secured to the respective frame to selectively restrict and facilitate access to an interior of the container. A frame latch selectively secures the frame of the first wall to the frame of the second wall.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to containers and more particularly to a crate that is particularly useful for transporting grocery items to a store.

Currently, grocery items may be shipped to stores in metal crates. The crates must be unloaded onto shelves for the customers to select and purchase. This requires labor for handling the grocery items in the store.

SUMMARY

Multiple embodiments of collapsible containers are disclosed herein. The containers can be delivered, stacked in the store and the items therein can be merchandized straight out of the containers. The retractable walls can be retracted to improve visibility and accessibility to the products inside the container. The walls can be moved to the retracted position even while another loaded container is stacked on the container.

If all of the walls of the container are retractable, then there would be no need to orient the containers in a particular direction when stacked in the store. Most likely, depending upon where the containers are placed, only the one or two walls of each container in the stack that face the customer would need to be collapsed to provide ready access to the items inside; however, it would be possible to retract three or even four of the walls of all of the containers in the stack.

In the examples shown, all four walls of the collapsible container have retractable panels or sections. Some of the retractable sections have multiple pivot points and some have a single pivot point. Latches are selectively released to permit the retraction of each wall. Latches are also provided to permit the walls to all be collapsed onto the base of the container when the container is empty. In the example embodiments shown, each has multiple retractable walls, although there are some inventive features that could be practiced independently with only a single retractable wall. Unless otherwise specifically recited in the claim, it is within the scope of this invention that fewer than all of the walls and optionally only one wall is retractable.

In some embodiments, a collapsible container includes a base and a plurality of walls including a first wall and an adjacent second wall. The first wall and the second wall each include a U-shaped frame hingeably secured to the base and at least one section pivotably secured to the respective frame to selectively restrict and facilitate access to an interior of the container. A frame latch selectively secures the frame of the first wall to the frame of the second wall. The frames lock together to provide sufficient support to multiple similar loaded container stacked thereon.

Some embodiments of a collapsible container include a base having opposed side edges meeting opposed end edges at corners of the base. An end projection projects upwardly along the side edges adjacent each corner. A pair of opposed side walls are hingeably secured at the side edges of the base. A pair of opposed end walls are hingeably secured to the end projections.

A collapsible container according to some embodiments includes a base and a pair of opposed first walls pivotable between an upright position and a collapsed position. A pair of opposed second walls are pivotable between an upright position and a collapsed position. At least one of the second walls includes a U-shaped frame and a section pivotably secured to the frame. The section is pivotable between a closed position and a retracted position. A latch selectively secures the section to the frame in the closed position. The frame includes a lower portion parallel to the base and opposite vertical portions projecting upward from opposite ends of the lower portion. The frame further includes a pair of upper portions projecting toward one another from upper ends of the vertical portions.

A latch securing one of the side walls to one of the end walls may be movable vertically to selectively release the one of the side walls from the one of the end walls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible container according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is another end view of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows the container of FIG. 1 with one of the end walls reconfigured to the retracted position.

FIG. 8 shows one of the side walls and one of the end walls configured to the retracted position.

FIG. 9 is an end view of the container of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the container of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 shows the container of FIG. 1 with two end walls and one side wall reconfigured to the retracted position.

FIG. 12 is an end view of the container of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 shows the container of FIG. 1 with all of the walls reconfigured to the retracted position.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the container of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 shows a corner of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 shows the latch for selectively releasing the sections of the side wall of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 17 shows one of the side walls pivoted downward onto the base of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 18 shows the side walls of FIG. 17 pivoted downward onto the base.

FIG. 19 shows the container of FIG. 18 with one of the end walls moved to the collapsed position.

FIG. 20 shows the container of FIG. 19 in the fully collapsed position.

FIG. 21 shows the container of FIG. 1 with two adjacent walls in the retracted position and an identical container stacked thereon.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a container according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the container of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 shows the container of FIG. 22 with one of the end walls reconfigured to the retracted position.

FIG. 25 is an end view of the container of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 shows the container of FIG. 22 with one end wall and one side wall reconfigured to the retracted position.

FIG. 27 is a side view of the container of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 shows the container of FIG. 22 with two end walls and one side wall reconfigured to the retracted position.

FIG. 29 is an end view of the container of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 shows the container with all of the walls reconfigured to the retracted position.

FIG. 31 is a side view of the container of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is an exterior perspective view of one corner of the container of FIG. 22.

FIG. 33 is a side view of the corner of FIG. 32.

FIG. 34 shows the container of FIG. 22 with one of the side walls collapsed onto the base.

FIG. 35 shows the second side wall of the container of FIG. 34 collapsed onto the first side wall.

FIGS. 36 and 37 show the end walls collapsed onto the side walls of the container of FIG. 35.

FIG. 38 shows the container of FIG. 22 with another container stacked thereon and with two adjacent walls retracted.

FIG. 39 is a collapsible container according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 40 is a side view of the container of FIG. 39.

FIG. 41 shows the container of FIG. 39 with one of the end walls reconfigured to the retracted position.

FIG. 42 is an end view of the container of FIG. 40.

FIG. 43 shows the container of FIG. 39 with one end wall and one side wall reconfigured to the retracted position.

FIG. 44 is a side view of the container of FIG. 43.

FIG. 45 shows the container of FIG. 39 with two end walls and one side wall reconfigured to the retracted position.

FIG. 46 is an end view of the container of FIG. 45.

FIG. 47 shows the container of FIG. 39 with all of the walls reconfigured to the retracted position.

FIG. 48 is a side view of the container of FIG. 47.

FIG. 49 shows the container of FIG. 39 with an identical container stacked thereon and two adjacent walls moved to the retracted position.

FIG. 50 is a collapsible container according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 51 is a side view of the container of FIG. 50.

FIG. 52 shows the container of FIG. 50 with one of the side walls in the retracted position.

FIG. 53 is a side view of the container of FIG. 52.

FIG. 54 shows the container of FIG. 52 with two of the side walls reconfigured to the retracted position.

FIG. 55 is a side view of the container of FIG. 54.

FIG. 56 shows the container of FIG. 50 with all of the walls reconfigured to the retracted position.

FIG. 57 is an end view of the container of FIG. 56.

FIG. 58 is an interior view of one of the corners of the container of FIG. 50.

FIG. 59 is an exterior view of the corner of FIG. 50.

FIG. 60 shows the container of FIG. 50 with a first side wall collapsed onto the base.

FIG. 61 shows the container of FIG. 60 with the other side wall collapsed onto the first side wall.

FIG. 62 shows the container of FIG. 61 with one end wall collapsed onto the side walls.

FIG. 63 shows the container of FIG. 62 with the other end wall collapsed onto the side walls, such that the container is in a fully collapsed position.

FIG. 64 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 50 with two adjacent walls retracted and an identical container stacked thereon.

FIG. 65 is an end view of the containers of FIG. 64.

FIG. 66 shows a collapsible container according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 67 is a side view of the container of FIG. 66.

FIG. 68 shows the container of FIG. 66 with the section of one of the side walls pivoted to the retracted position.

FIG. 69 is an end view of the container of FIG. 68.

FIG. 70 show the container of FIG. 66 with two of the side walls reconfigured to the retracted position.

FIG. 71 is an end view of the container of FIG. 70.

FIG. 72 shows the container of FIG. 66 with all of the walls reconfigured to the retracted position.

FIG. 73 is an end view of the container of FIG. 72.

FIG. 74 is an interior view of one of the corners of the container of FIG. 66.

FIG. 75 is an exterior view of the corner of FIG. 66.

FIG. 76 shows the container of FIG. 66 with a first side wall collapsed onto the base.

FIG. 77 shows the container of FIG. 76 with the other side wall collapsed onto the first side wall.

FIG. 78 shows the container of FIG. 77 with one end wall collapsed onto the side walls.

FIG. 79 shows the container of FIG. 78 with the other end wall collapsed onto the side walls, such that the container is in a fully collapsed position.

FIG. 80 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 66 with two adjacent walls retracted and an identical container stacked thereon.

FIG. 81 is an end view of the containers of FIG. 80.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A collapsible container 10 according to a first embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. The collapsible container 10 includes a base 12 and a pair of side walls 14 pivotably connected to side edges of the base 12. A pair of opposed end walls 16 extend upward from hinges pivotably connecting them to upstanding end flanges 17 projecting upward from end edges of the base 12.

Each side wall includes a plurality of retractable sections 18, here shown in the closed or upright position. Retractable sections 18 are pivotably connected to a U-shaped frame 20 and/or to one another.

Similarly, the end walls 16 each include a plurality of retractable sections 22 pivotably connected to one another and/or to a U-shaped frame 24. The frame 24 includes a lower portion hingeably connected to the end flange 17 and two upstanding portions at each end of the lower portion. A pair of latches 25 selectively secure the sections 22 to the frame 24. In this embodiment, the upper retractable section 22 is connected to arms extending downward to lower ends pivotably secured to the frame 24. The lower retractable section 22 is pivotably connected at an upper end thereof to the arms, while the lower end of the lower retractable section 22 hangs down freely or snap-fit connects to the arms.

On the side walls 14 a pair of latches 28 selectively secure the retractable sections 18 to the frame 20. Another pair of latches 26 selectively secure the frame 20 of the side wall 14 to the frame 24 of the end wall 16. Releasing these latches 26 permit the side walls 14 to be collapsed onto the base 12. The end walls 16 would subsequently be collapsed onto the side walls 14. In particular, in this embodiment, the upper retractable section 18 is connected to arms extending downward to lower ends pivotably secured to the frame 20, while the lower retractable section 18 is pivotably secured at its upper end to the arms. The lower end of the lower retractable section 18 may hang down freely or latch to the arms.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the container 10. FIG. 3 is an end view of the container 10. FIG. 4 is a top view of the container 10. FIG. 5 is another end view of the container 10. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the container 10.

FIG. 7 shows the container of FIG. 1 with one of the end walls 16 reconfigured to the retracted position. After releasing the latches 25, the sections 22 can be pivoted downwardly relative to the frame 24. This could be done even when another loaded container 10 is stacked on this container 10.

FIG. 8 shows one of the side walls 14 and one of the end walls 16 reconfigured to the retracted position, with the sections 18, 22 pivoted downward to the retracted position relative to the frame 20 after releasing the latches 28. Again, this could be done even while another loaded container 10 is stacked on the container 10.

FIG. 9 is an end view of the container of FIG. 7. FIG. 10 is a side view of the container 10 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 shows the container 10 with two end walls and one side wall reconfigured to the retracted position. FIG. 12 is an end view of the container 10 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 shows the container 10 with all of the walls reconfigured to the retracted position. Again, this could be done even while a loaded container 10 is stacked on this container 10. The frames 20 are latched to the frames 24, creating angled corner structures which are sufficient to support a loaded container thereon. FIG. 14 is a side view of the container of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 shows a corner of the container 10. The side wall 14 engages the latch 26 which is integrally molded with the frame 24 of the end wall 16. FIG. 16 shows the latch 28 for selectively releasing the sections 18 of the side wall 14 to pivot relative to the frame 20 of the side wall 14. The latch 28 may be a cantilevered latch 28 extending horizontally toward the frame 20 where it engages a catch 29 integrally molded with the frame 20. The user can depress the latch 28 downward to release it from the catch 29 to retract the sections 18.

As shown in FIG. 17, upon release of the latches 26 on each side of the side wall 14, the side wall 14 can be pivoted downward onto the base 12. As shown in FIG. 18, the opposite side wall 14 can then be pivoted downward after releasing its latches 26. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the end walls 16 are then pivoted downward onto the side walls 14.

Referring to FIG. 21, the end walls 16 and side walls 14 can both be reconfigured to the retracted position. As shown, even while another loaded container 10 is stacked thereon (the container 10 is shown empty, but could also be loaded with goods), the walls 14,16 can be moved to the retracted position to facilitate visibility and access to the goods in the lower container 10.

A container 110 according to a second embodiment is shown in FIG. 22. The container 110 includes side walls 114 and end walls 116 pivotably connected to a base 112. Each side wall 114 includes a plurality of sections 118 pivotably connected to one another and/or connected to a frame 120. An upper section 118 has arms extending downward therefrom, lower ends of which are pivotably secured to the frame 120. A middle section 118 is pivotably secured at an upper end to a mid-point of the arms and at a lower end to an upper end of the lower section 118. Sections 118 are retained in position by a pair of latches 128 selectively securing the upper section 118 to the frame 120 of the side wall 114.

Each end wall 116 includes a plurality of sections 122 pivotably connected to one another and/or to a frame 124. An upper section 122 has arms extending downward therefrom, lower ends of which are pivotably secured to the frame 124. A middle section 122 is pivotably secured at an upper end to a mid-point of the arms and at a lower end to an upper end of the lower section 122. Sections 122 are retained in position by a pair of latches 125 selectively securing the upper section 122 to the frame 124 of the end wall 116.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the container 110. FIG. 24 shows the container 110 with one of the end walls 116 reconfigured to the retracted position, with the plurality of sections 122 adjacent one another and the upper section 122 inverted. FIG. 25 is an end view of the container of FIG. 24. FIG. 26 shows the container 110 with one end wall and one side wall reconfigured to the retracted position. FIG. 27 is a side view of the container of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 shows the container 110 with two end walls 116 and one side wall 114 reconfigured to the retracted position. FIG. 29 is an end view of the container 110 of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 shows the container 110 with all of the walls reconfigured to the retracted position. Again, this could be done even while a loaded container 110 is stacked on this container 110. The frames 120 are latched to the frames 124, creating angled corner structures which are sufficient to support a loaded container thereon. FIG. 31 is a side view of the container of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is an exterior perspective view of one corner of the container 110 of FIG. 22. Referring to FIG. 32, a latch 126 is formed integrally with the frame 124 from the side wall 116 and selectively secures the frame 120 of the side wall to the frame 124 of the end wall 116.

FIG. 33 shows the latch 128 for selectively securing the sections 118 of the side wall 114 to the side wall frame 120.

FIG. 34 shows the container 110 with one of the side walls 114 collapsed onto the base 112 after releasing the latches 126.

FIG. 35 shows the second side wall 114 collapsed onto the first side wall 114 after releasing its associated latches 126. FIGS. 36 and 37 show the end walls 116 collapsed onto the side walls 114.

As shown in FIG. 38, the walls can be reconfigured into the retracted positions even when another container 110 is stacked on the container 110. More specifically, the walls 114, 116 can be moved from the closed position to the retracted position while a loaded container 110 is stacked thereon. This facilitates visibility and access to goods in the lower container 110.

FIG. 39 is a collapsible container 210 according to another embodiment. The container 210 includes side walls 214 and end walls 216 pivotably connected to a base 212. Each side wall 214 includes a plurality of sections 218 pivotably connected to one another and/or connected to a frame 220. An upper section 218 has arms extending downward therefrom, lower ends of which are pivotably secured to the frame 220. A middle section 218 is pivotably secured at an upper end to a mid-point of the arms and at a lower end to an upper end of the lower section 218. Sections 218 are retained in position by a pair of latches 228 selectively securing the upper section 218 to the frame 220 of the side wall 214.

Each end wall 216 includes an end section 222 pivotably connected to a frame 224. Latches 225 selectively secure the section 222 to the frame 224. Each end section 222 has arms extending downwardly therefrom. Lower ends of each of the arms are pivotably secured to the frame 224.

Latches 226 integrally formed with each end frame 224 selectively secure the end frames 224 to the side frames 220. The side walls 214 and end walls 216 can be selectively collapsed onto the base 212 when the container 210 is empty by releasing the latches 226.

FIG. 40 is a side view of the container 210. FIG. 41 shows the container 210 with one of the end walls 216 reconfigured to the retracted position. FIG. 42 is an end view of the container of FIG. 40. The section 222 is pivoted outward and downward, such that the arms extend upward from the section to the frame 224. Access to the interior of the container is provided above the section 222, between the arms, and between the frame 224.

FIG. 43 shows the container 210 with one end wall and one side wall reconfigured to the retracted position. FIG. 44 is a side view of the container of FIG. 43.

FIG. 45 shows the container 210 with two end walls 216 and one side wall 214 reconfigured to the retracted position. FIG. 46 is an end view of the container 210 of FIG. 45.

FIG. 47 shows the container 210 with all of the walls reconfigured to the retracted position. Again, this could be done even while a loaded container 210 is stacked on this container 210. The frames 220 are latched to the frames 224, creating angled corner structures which are sufficient to support a loaded container thereon. FIG. 48 is a side view of the container of FIG. 47.

As shown in FIG. 49, the walls can be reconfigured into the retracted positions even when another container 210 is stacked on the container 210. That is, the walls can be moved to the retracted position while another container 210 is stacked on the container 210.

FIG. 50 is a collapsible container 310 according to another embodiment. The container 310 includes a base 312 with integral side flanges 315 extending upward from side edges thereof and end flanges 313 extending upward from end edges thereof. Side walls 314 are pivotably secured to the side flanges 315. End walls 316 are pivotably secured to end projections 317 projecting upward from each end of each side flange 315. The end walls 316 are pivotable about axes 332 formed in the end projections 317.

Each side wall 314 includes a retractable section 318 pivotably secured to a side frame 320. Each end wall 316 includes a retractable section 322 pivotably secured to an end frame 324. Spring latches 325 selectively secure the retractable section 322 to the end frame 324. The spring latches 325 may include loops captured within recesses formed in the sections 322 and biased into a latched position by integral spring legs. Similarly, the side walls 314 may have spring latches 328 selectively securing the sections 318 in the latched position to the side frames 320. The end walls 316 are pivotable about axes 332 formed in the end projections 317.

FIG. 51 is a side view of the container 310. The end walls 316 are pivotable about axes 332 formed in the end projections 317. Pins integrally formed in the frame 324 may pivot inside apertures through the end projections 317. A guide pin 336 formed integrally with the frame 324 is slidably captured by an arcuate opening 334 in each end projection 317. In this manner, the end walls 316 can be moved between the upright position shown in FIG. 51 and a collapsed position on the base 312.

FIG. 52 shows the container 310 with the section 318 of one of the side walls 314 pivoted to the retracted position (after releasing latches 328 (FIG. 50). As shown, the section 318 is connected by arms that are pivotably secured to the frame 320. In the retracted position, the arms extend upward from the section 318 and the section 318 is positioned outward of the side flanges 315 (FIG. 51) and the base 312. FIG. 53 is a side view of the container 310 of FIG. 52.

FIGS. 54 and 55 show the container 310 with two of the side walls 314 reconfigured to the retracted position. FIG. 56 shows the container 310 with all of the walls reconfigured to the retracted position, for maximum product visibility and accessibility. The four frames 320, 324 are still connected in the corners to create angled corner structures that are sufficient to support a loaded container 310 thereon.

FIG. 57 is an end view of the container 310 of FIG. 56. As can be seen in FIG. 57, the vertical portions of the end frame 324 are entirely (or nearly so) within the planes of the side walls 314. In this manner, the vertical portions of the end frame 324 do not impinge into the opening into the container 310 above the end section 322. This opening above the end section 322 is as wide as the container 310. Some items such as egg cartons are the full width (the distance between the side walls 314) of the container 310. This full-width opening facilitates the removal of such items through this opening at the end of the container 310 when the end wall 316 is in the retracted position.

FIG. 58 is an interior view of one of the corners of the container 310. The other three would be identical or symmetric. As can also be seen in FIG. 58, the vertical portions of the end frame 324 are entirely within the planes of the side walls 314 and do not impinge into the opening between the side walls 314. The latch 326, which selectively connects the side frame 320 to the end frame 324, is slidably captured by a retainer 340 integrally formed with the side frame 320. The latch 326 has integrally spring legs 334 that bias the latch 326 toward a latched position with the end frame 324. In the latched position, a leg 336 of the latch 326 is received behind a catch member 338 integrally formed with the end frame 324. The catch member 338 has a ramped interior surface such that the leg 336 contacts the ramped interior surface and lifts the latch 326 over the catch member 338 when the side frame 320 is pivoted from a collapsed position to an upright position. As shown in FIG. 59, the latch 326 is accessible on the exterior of the side frame 320 so that a user can manually move the latch 326 upward to release the side frame 320 from the end frame 324 to collapse the side wall 214 onto the base 312.

FIG. 59 also shows the end spring latch 325 for selectively releasing the section 322 from the end frame 324, so that the section 322 can be pivoted outward to the retracted position. The spring latch 325 also includes a loop and is slidably captured in the section 322 and biased toward a latched position by integral spring legs.

FIGS. 60-63 show one sequence for collapsing the container 310 when empty. In FIG. 60, a first side wall 314 is collapsed onto the base 312. In FIG. 61, the other side wall 314 is collapsed onto the first side wall 314. FIG. 62 shows one end wall 316 collapsed onto the side walls 314. FIG. 63 shows the other end wall 316 collapsed onto the side walls 314, such that the container 310 is in a fully collapsed position.

As shown in FIGS. 64 and 65, the sections 318, 322 can be moved the retracted position even while another container 310 is stacked on the container 310.

FIG. 66 shows a collapsible container 410 according to another embodiment. The container 410 includes a base 412 with integral side flanges 415 extending upward from side edges thereof and end flanges 413 extending upward from end edges thereof. Side walls 414 are pivotably secured to the side flanges 415. End walls 416 are pivotably secured to end projections 417 projecting upward from each end of each side flange 415. The end walls 416 are pivotable about axes 432 formed in the end projections 417.

Each side wall 414 includes a retractable section 418 pivotably secured to a side frame 420. Each end wall 416 includes a retractable section 422 pivotably secured to an end frame 424. Spring latches 425 selectively secure the retractable section 422 to the end frame 424. The spring latches 425 may include loops captured within recesses formed in the sections 422 and biased into a latched position by integral spring legs. Similarly, the side walls 414 may have spring latches 428 selectively securing the sections 418 in the latched position to the side frames 420.

In this embodiment, the side frames 420 include upper portions 421 that project inward toward one another. The spring latches 428 secure the section 418 to the upper portions 421 of the side frames 420. The sections 418 include legs 450 projecting downward and outward below the upper portions 421 to pivotably connect to the side frames 420. Each upper portion 421 of the side frame 420 includes a spring latch 426 for selectively securing the side frame 420 to the end frame 424. This creates a narrower portion of the opening between the upper portions 421 and a larger portion of the opening within the frame 420 below the upper portions 421.

FIG. 67 is a side view of the container 410. The end walls 416 are pivotable about axes 432 formed in the end projections 417. Pins integrally formed in the frame 424 may pivot inside apertures through the end projections 417. A guide pin 436 formed integrally with the frame 424 is slidably captured by an arcuate opening 434 in each end projection 417.

FIG. 68 shows the container 410 with the section 418 of one of the side walls 414 pivoted to the retracted position (after releasing latches 428 (FIG. 66). FIG. 69 is an end view of the container 410 of FIG. 68. FIGS. 70 and 71 show the container 410 with two of the side walls 414 reconfigured to the retracted position.

FIGS. 72 and 73 shows the container 410 with all of the walls reconfigured to the retracted position, for maximum product visibility and accessibility. The four frames 420, 424 are still connected in the corners to create angled corner structures that are sufficient to support a loaded container 410 thereon. Referring to FIG. 73, the upper, vertical portions of the end frame 424 do not impinge into the opening between them. They are within the envelope of their respective side walls 414. Again, this facilitates access of items such as egg cartons that extend from one side wall 414 to the other side wall 414 through the opening made by pivoting the end section 422 to the retracted position. This is also shown in FIG. 74.

FIG. 74 is an interior view of one of the corners of the container 410. The latch 426, which selectively connects the side frame 420 to the end frame 424, is slidably captured in the upper portion 421 of the side frame 420. The latch 426 has integral spring legs that bias the latch 426 toward a latched position with the end frame 424.

FIG. 75 is an exterior view of the corner of the container 410 of FIG. 74. FIG. 75 also shows the end spring latch 425 for selectively releasing the section 422 from the end frame 424, so that the section 422 can be pivoted outward to the retracted position. The spring latch 425 also includes a loop and is slidably captured in the section 422 and biased toward a latched position by integral spring legs.

FIGS. 76-79 show one sequence for collapsing the container 410 when empty. In FIG. 76, a first side wall 414 is collapsed onto the base 412. In FIG. 77, the other side wall 414 is collapsed onto the first side wall 414. FIG. 78 shows one end wall 416 collapsed onto the side walls 414. FIG. 79 shows the other end wall 416 collapsed onto the side walls 414, such that the container 410 is in a fully collapsed position.

As shown in FIGS. 80 and 81, the end sections 422 and side sections 418 can be moved the retracted position even while another container 410 is stacked on the container 410.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes and jurisprudence, exemplary configurations described above are considered to represent a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.

Claims

1. A collapsible container comprising:

a base;

a plurality of walls including a first wall and an adjacent second wall;

the first wall and the second wall each including a U-shaped frame hingeably secured to the base and at least one section pivotably secured to the respective frame to selectively restrict and facilitate access to an interior of the container; and

a frame latch selectively securing the frame of the first wall to the frame of the second wall.

2. The collapsible container of claim 1 wherein the first wall is perpendicular to the second wall.

3. The collapsible container of claim 1 wherein the at least one section of the first wall includes an upper section pivotably secured to the frame of the first wall and a lower section pivotably secured to the upper section.

4. The collapsible container of claim 1 wherein the plurality of walls further includes a third wall including a third U-shaped frame with at least one third section pivotably secured to the third U-shaped frame, and a fourth wall including a fourth U-shaped frame with at least one fourth section pivotably secured to the fourth U-shaped frame.

5. The collapsible container of claim 4 wherein the U-shaped frame of the second wall is selectively securable to the third U-shaped frame, and wherein the third U-shaped frame is selectively securable to the fourth U-shaped frame, and wherein the fourth U-shaped frame is selectively securable to the U-shaped frame of the first wall.

6. The collapsible container of claim 1 further including a first latch selectively securing the at least one section of the first wall to the frame of the first wall, a second latch selectively securing the at least one section of the second wall to the frame of the second wall.

7. The collapsible container of claim 6 wherein the first latch and the second latch are adjacent the frame latch.

8. The collapsible container of claim 1 wherein the at least one section of the first wall and the second wall can each be pivoted relative to their respective frames while an identical container is stacked on the collapsible container.

9. The collapsible container of claim 1 further including a pair of arms pivotably securing the at least one section of the first wall to the frame of the first wall.

10. A collapsible container comprising:

a base having opposed side edges meeting opposed end edges at corners of the base, an end projection projecting upwardly along the side edges adjacent each corner;

a pair of opposed side walls hingeably secured at the side edges of the base; and

a pair of opposed end walls hingeably secured to the end projections.

11. The collapsible container of claim 10 wherein each end projection further includes an arcuate opening capturing a pin projecting from the associated end wall.

12. The collapsible container of claim 10 wherein each end wall includes a U-shaped end frame and an end section pivotably secured to the end frame and pivotable between a closed position and a retracted position, each end wall further including a latch selectively securing the end section to the end frame in the closed position.

13. The collapsible container of claim 12 wherein each of the side walls includes a U-shaped side frame and a side section pivotably secured to the side frame and pivotable between a closed position and a retracted position, each of the side walls further including a latch selectively securing the side section to the side frame in the closed position.

14. The collapsible container of claim 13 further including a plurality of frame latches selectively securing the end frames to the side frames.

15. The collapsible container of claim 14 wherein each of the plurality of frame latches is slidable vertically relative to the container to selectively release the end frame from the side frame.

16. The collapsible container of claim 10 wherein the side walls are between the end walls and maintain the end walls in an upright position when the side walls are in an upright position.

17. The collapsible container of claim 13 wherein the side frames each include a lower portion parallel to the base and opposite vertical portions projecting upward from opposite ends of the lower portion, each side frame further including a pair of upper portions projecting toward one another from upper ends of the vertical portions.

18. The collapsible container of claim 17 wherein each side section is pivotably secured to the vertical portions of the side frame below the upper portions.

19. A collapsible container comprising:

a base;

a pair of opposed first walls pivotable between an upright position and a collapsed position;

a pair of opposed second walls pivotable between an upright position and a collapsed position, wherein at least one of the second walls includes a U-shaped frame and a section pivotably secured to the frame and pivotable between a closed position and a retracted position, a latch selectively securing the section to the frame in the closed position, the frame including a lower portion parallel to the base and opposite vertical portions projecting upward from opposite ends of the lower portion, the frame further including a pair of upper portions projecting toward one another from upper ends of the vertical portions.

20. The collapsible container of claim 19 wherein the section is pivotably secured to the upper portions below the upper portions.

21. A collapsible container comprising:

a base;

a pair of opposed side walls hingeably secured at side edges of the base and movable between an upright position extending upward from the base and a collapsed position on the base;

a pair of opposed end walls hingeably secured at end edges of the base and movable between an upright position extending upward from the base and a collapsed position on the base;

a latch securing one of the side walls to one of the end walls, wherein the latch is movable vertically to selectively release the one of the side walls from the one of the end walls.