FOLDABLE CONTAINERS WITH LATERALLY INSERTABLE LOCKING MEMBERS SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME

Abstract

A foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, is described; the foldable container includes: a bottom platform a pair of longitudinal sidewalls, forming a hinged connection with said bottom platform, a pair of flanking sidewalls, at least one anchoring post, at least one modular rotary locking member, at least one biasing mechanism and at least one handle; a system and method for manufacturing foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members are further described.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

In general, the present invention pertains to the art of industrial manufacture of plastic containers. In particular, the invention relates to foldable containers with laterally insertable locking members, as well as to industrial manufacture systems and processes for assembling the laterally insertable locking members of the foldable containers.

BACKGROUND ART

It is believed that the current state of the art is represented by the following patent literature: U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,807,367, 9,422,087, US2009101640 and US2018002063.

In U.S. Pat. No. 9,422,087 that is believed to represent the closest prior art, Poran et al. disclose a foldable crate and locking mechanisms therefor, the foldable crate includes a base platform, a pair of longitudinal sidewalls forming a hinged connection with the base platform and a pair of flanking sidewalls forming a hinged connection with the base platform. The flanking sidewalls in U.S. Pat. No. 9,422,087 accommodate a pair of rotary locking elements, as well as unlocking element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following summary of the invention is provided to exhibit the basic understanding of some principles, underlying various aspects and features of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention and as such it is not intended to particularly identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented below.

The invention was made in view of the deficiencies of the prior art and provides systems, methods and processes for overcoming these deficiencies. According to some embodiments and aspects of the present invention, there is provided a foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members comprises: a bottom platform comprising an essentially rectangular shape; a pair of longitudinal sidewalls, forming a hinged connection with the bottom platform; a pair of flanking sidewalls, forming a hinged connection with the bottom platform; at least one anchoring post, extending from at least one of the flanking sidewalls and/or from at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls, essentially orthogonally to a plane of at least one of the flanking sidewalls and/or to a plane of at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls; at least one modular rotary locking member.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, at least one modular rotary locking member comprises: an anchoring portion, comprising a plurality of clamping elements; in which the clamping elements rendering the modular rotary locking member readily connectable to at least one anchoring post, and in which the clamping elements rendering at least one modular rotary locking member rotatable about at least one anchoring post; an elongated portion, forming a continuum with the anchoring portion; a terminal locking portion, configured to form a releasable connection between at least one of the flanking sidewalls and at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls; in which at least one modular rotary locking member is configured to assume: a locked configuration, in which the terminal locking portion of at least one modular rotary locking member forming a connection between at least one of the flanking sidewalls and at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls; an unlocked configuration, in which the terminal locking portion of at least one modular rotary locking member not forming a connection between at least one of the flanking sidewalls and at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members comprises: at least one biasing mechanism, configured for spontaneously drive at least one modular rotary locking member into a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration; at least one handle, configured for altering the configuration of at least one modular rotary locking member, between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration.

In accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, in which at least one modular rotary locking member is translatable between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration by a rotational movement about at least one anchoring post.

In accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, in which at least one modular rotary locking member is rotatable about at least one anchoring post, in a plane essentially paralleling the plane of at least one of the flanking sidewalls and/or to the plane of at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls.

In accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, in which at least one modular rotary locking member and at least one of the flanking sidewalls and/or at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls are configured to assume: an assembled configuration, in which the anchoring portion of at least one modular rotary locking member is clamped onto at least one anchoring post and a disassembled configuration, in which the anchoring portion of at least one modular rotary locking member is released from at least one anchoring post.

In accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, in which the anchoring portion of at least one modular rotary locking member is assemblable onto at least one anchoring post by a lateral movement of at least one modular rotary locking member in a plane essentially paralleling the plane of at least one of the flanking sidewalls and/or to the plane of at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls.

In accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, in which at least one of the flanking sidewalls and/or at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls comprises at least one side opening, configured for lateral insertion of at least one modular rotary locking member in a plane essentially paralleling the plane of at least one of the flanking sidewalls and/or to the plane of at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls.

In accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, in which at least one modular rotary locking member is asymmetrical.

In accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, in which at least one modular rotary locking member is installable on either of two anchoring posts, extending from at least one of the flanking sidewalls and/or from at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls, essentially orthogonally to the plane of at least one of the flanking sidewalls and/or to the plane of at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls.

In accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, in which at least one modular rotary locking member comprises a confining ridge.

In accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, in which at least one modular rotary locking member comprises a first confining ridge and a second confining ridge, disposed on essentially opposing sides of the elongated portion.

According to some embodiments and aspects of the present invention, there is provided a process of manufacturing foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the process of manufacturing foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members comprises: pre-manufacturing a bottom platform comprising an essentially rectangular shape; pre-manufacturing a pair of longitudinal sidewalls; forming a hinged connection of the pair of the longitudinal sidewalls with the bottom platform; pre-manufacturing a pair of flanking sidewalls; forming a hinged connection of the pair of the flanking sidewalls with the bottom platform; forming at least one anchoring post, extending from at least one of the flanking sidewalls and/or from at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls, essentially orthogonally to a plane of at least one of the flanking sidewalls and/or to a plane of at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls; pre-manufacturing at least one modular rotary locking member; pre-manufacturing at least one biasing mechanism, configured for spontaneously drive at least one modular rotary locking member into a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration; pre-manufacturing at least one handle, configured for altering the configuration of at least one modular rotary locking member, between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration; assembling the anchoring portion of at least one modular rotary locking member onto at least one anchoring post by a lateral movement of at least one modular rotary locking member.

In accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the present invention, there is a process of manufacturing foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, in which at least one modular rotary locking member is rotatable about at least one anchoring post, in a plane essentially paralleling the plane of at least one of the flanking sidewalls and/or to the plane of at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls.

In accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the present invention, there is a process of manufacturing foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, in which at least one modular rotary locking member and at least one of the flanking sidewalls and/or at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls are configured to assume an assembled configuration, in which the anchoring portion of at least one modular rotary locking member is clamped onto at least one anchoring post and a disassembled configuration, in which the anchoring portion of at least one modular rotary locking member is released from at least one anchoring post.

In accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the present invention, there is a process of manufacturing foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, in which at least one of the flanking sidewalls and/or at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls comprises at least one side opening, configured for lateral insertion of at least one modular rotary locking member in a plane essentially paralleling the plane of at least one of the flanking sidewalls and/or to the plane of at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls.

In accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the present invention, there is a process of manufacturing foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, in which assembling of the anchoring portion of at least one modular rotary locking member onto at least one anchoring post by the lateral movement of at least one modular rotary locking member is performed in a plane essentially paralleling the plane of at least one of the flanking sidewalls and/or to the plane of at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls.

According to some embodiments and aspects of the present invention, there is provided system for manufacturing foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the system for manufacturing foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members comprises: a bottom platform manufacturing module, in which the bottom platform comprising an essentially rectangular shape; a longitudinal sidewalls manufacturing module, in which the longitudinal sidewalls forming a hinged connection with the bottom platform; a flanking sidewalls manufacturing module, in which the flanking sidewalls forming a hinged connection with the bottom platform; an anchoring post manufacturing module, in which anchoring post extending from at least one of the flanking sidewalls and/or from at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls, essentially orthogonally to a plane of at least one of the flanking sidewalls and/or to a plane of at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls; a modular rotary locking member manufacturing module; a biasing mechanism manufacturing module, in which the biasing mechanism is configured for spontaneously drive at least one modular rotary locking member into a locked configuration and a unlocked configuration; a handle manufacturing module, in which the handle is configured for altering the configuration of at least one modular rotary locking member, between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration; an automated assembling mechanism, in which assembling mechanism is configured for assembling the anchoring portion of at least one modular rotary locking member onto at least one anchoring post by performing a lateral insertion of at least one modular rotary locking member.

In accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the present invention, there is provided system for manufacturing foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, in which at least one modular rotary locking member and the flanking sidewalls and/or the longitudinal sidewalls are configured to assume an assembled configuration, in which the anchoring portion of at least one modular rotary locking member is clamped onto at least one anchoring post and a disassembled configuration, wherein the anchoring portion of at least one modular rotary locking member is released from at least one anchoring post.

In accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the present invention, there is provided system for manufacturing foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, in which the flanking sidewalls and/or the longitudinal sidewalls comprise at least one side opening, configured for lateral insertion of at least one modular rotary locking member in a plane essentially paralleling the plane of at least one of the flanking sidewalls and/or to the plane of at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls.

In accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the present invention, there is provided system for manufacturing foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, in which assembling of the anchoring portion of at least one modular rotary locking member onto at least one anchoring post by the lateral movement of at least one modular rotary locking member is performed in a plane essentially paralleling the plane of the flanking sidewalls and/or to the plane of the longitudinal sidewalls.

In accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the present invention, there is provided system for manufacturing foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, in which at least one modular rotary locking member comprises a first confining ridge and a second confining ridge, disposed on essentially opposing sides of the elongated portion.

Definitions

The term matching or a term similar thereto as referred to herein is to be construed as having a cross-sectional area and/or shape of a component equal or essentially similar to a cross-sectional area and/or shape of another component. It should be acknowledged that the components may only to be similar in the cross-sectional areas and/or shapes, to satisfy the term matching or similar, so long as the cross-sectional areas of the components can be mated and/or inserted into each other and/or the combination thereof essentially fits together and/or occupy essentially the same space.

The term structured as referred to herein is to be construed as including any geometrical shape, exceeding in complexity a plain linear shape or a shape embodying a simple and/or standardized circular, elliptical or polygonal contour or profile. Any more complex shape than a plain linear shape or a shape embodying a simple and/or standardized circular, elliptical or polygonal contour or profile, constitutes an example of structured geometry.

The term modular, as referred to herein, should be construed as a including a stand-alone and/or autonomically functioning of structured unit. The term modular inter alia means a standardized unit that may be conveniently installed or deployed without significant impact to the environment. The term modular, however, doesn't necessarily mean providing for ease of interchange or replacement. The term modular is optionally satisfied solely by providing for ease of onetime deployment or installation.

The term readily connectable, as referred to herein, should be construed as including any structure and/or member that is configured to be conveniently connected to other structure and/or member and/or components of a larger system or assembly. The term readily connectable, however, doesn't necessarily mean readily disconnectable or removable. The term readily connectable is optionally satisfied by providing for ease of onetime connection or coupling.

The term biasing means or alike, as referred to herein, should be construed as including any material, structure or mechanism, configured to accumulate mechanical energy, by changing the configuration thereof, upon a force exerted thereon, such as a compressive, tensile, shear or torsional force, as well as for releasing the energy accumulated therein, by returning to the normal or default configuration thereof and thereby performing a mechanical work, typically by linear or radial displacement. Examples of biasing means in a non-limiting manner include, springs, elastomers, leaf-springs, coil-springs, tension/extension spring, compression spring torsion spring, constant spring, variable spring, variable stiffness spring, flat spring, machined spring, serpentine spring, garter spring, cantilever spring, helical spring, hollow tubing springs, volute spring, V-spring, belleville washer or belleville spring, constant-force spring, gas spring, mainspring, negator spring, progressive rate coil springs, rubber band, spring washer and wave spring.

By operationally connected and operably coupled or similar terms used herein is meant connected in a specific way (e.g., in a manner allowing fluid to move and/or electric power or signal to be transmitted) that allows the disclosed system and its various components to operate effectively in the manner described herein.

The terms firm rigid, or stiff, as referred to herein, are to be construed as having rigidity modulus value, otherwise referred to as the shear modulus, of 4800 MPa or more. Materials are considered to be firm rigid, or stiff but not tensile, when such materials are incapable of being efficiently elastically flexed or bent. Stiff materials, such as steel, are defined as having rigidity modulus value well exceeding 4800 MPa.

The terms pliable or pliant, as referred to herein, are to be construed as having high tensile strength and capable of being efficiently elastically flexed or bent but not being resilient and incapable of being efficiently stretched or expanded. The term tensile or tensile strength, as referred to herein, is to be construed inter alia as a shortcut of the known term ultimate tensile strength, frequently represented acronym as UTS, meaning an intensive property of a material or structure to withstand loads tending to elongate, namely to resist tension, defined as the maximum stress that a material can withstand while been stretched or pulled before sustaining breaking, substantial deformation and/or necking before fracture, such as nylon, relating to essentially non-ductile materials, having UTS value ranging between about 600 and 1000 MPa or more, but not including rigid, firm or stiff materials.

The terms elastic or resilient, as referred to herein, are to be construed as having tensile strength lower than aforesaid tensile strength of pliable or pliant material and optionally being capable of efficiently stretching or expanding, relating inter alia to essentially ductile materials, having UTS value lesser than about 600 MPa.

In the specification or claims herein, any term signifying an action or operation, such as: a verb, whether in base form or any tense, gerund or present/past participle, is not to be construed as necessarily to be actually performed but rather in a constructive manner, namely as to be performed merely optionally or potentially.

The term substantially as used herein is a broad term, and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art (and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning), and refers without limitation to being largely but not necessarily entirely of that quantity or quality which is specified.

The term essentially means that the composition, method or structure may include additional ingredients, stages and or parts, but only if the additional ingredients, the stages and/or the parts do not materially alter the basic and new characteristics of the composition, method or structure claimed.

As used herein, the term essentially changes a specific meaning, meaning an interval of plus or minus ten percent (±10%). For any embodiments disclosed herein, any disclosure of a particular value, in some alternative embodiments, is to be understood as disclosing an interval approximately or about equal to that particular value (i.e., ±10%).

As used herein, the terms about or approximately modify a particular value, by referring to a range equal to the particular value, plus or minus twenty percent (+/−20%). For any of the embodiments, disclosed herein, any disclosure of a particular value, can, in various alternate embodiments, also be understood as a disclosure of a range equal to about that particular value (i.e. +/−20%).

As used herein, the term or is an inclusive or operator, equivalent to the term and/or, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise; whereas the term and as used herein is also the alternative operator equivalent to the term and/or, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

It should be understood, however, that neither the briefly synopsized summary nor particular definitions hereinabove are not to limit interpretation of the invention to the specific forms and examples but rather on the contrary are to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more comprehensively from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of the foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 1C is a perspective side view of the foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 1D is an enlarged view of the foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a perspective frontal view of a longitudinal sidewall with an assemblable locking member, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is an enlarged frontal view of the longitudinal sidewall with an assemblable locking member, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an assembly of the locking members connected to a handle, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is an enlarged perspective view of a locking member operationally connected to a side portion of the handle, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3C is an enlarged perspective view of a locking member operationally connected to a side portion of the handle, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the longitudinal sidewall with assemblable locking members, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is an enlarged side view of the longitudinal sidewall with an assemblable locking member, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a high-level flowchart of a process of manufacturing foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a system for manufacturing foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown merely by way of example in the drawings. The drawings are not necessarily complete and components are not essentially to scale; emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles underlying the present invention.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF EMBODIMENTS

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of actual implementation are described in this specification. It should be appreciated that various features or elements described in the context of some embodiment may be interchangeable with features or elements of any other embodiment described in the specification.

Moreover, it will be appreciated that for the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with technology- or business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another, and the effort of such a development might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, reference is now made to FIG. 1A to 4B, showing foldable container 10 with laterally assemblable modular locking members. In some embodiment, foldable container 10 comprises bottom platform 12. Bottom platform 12 of foldable container 10 embodies an essentially rectangular shape.

In some embodiments, foldable container 10 further comprises a pair of longitudinal sidewalls 14A and 14B. Longitudinal sidewalls 14A and 14B form a hinged connection with bottom platform 12. In some embodiments, foldable container 10 further comprises a pair of flanking sidewalls 16A and 16B. Flanking sidewalls 16A and 16B form hinged connection with bottom platform 12.

In some embodiments, foldable container 10 further comprises at least one anchoring post 18. At least one anchoring post 18 extends from at least one of flanking sidewalls 16A and 16B and/or from at least one of longitudinal sidewalls 14A and 14B, essentially perpendicularly to a plane of at least one of at least one of flanking sidewalls 16A and 16B and/or to a plane of at least one of longitudinal sidewalls 14A and 14B.

In some embodiments, foldable container 10 further comprises at least one modular rotary locking member 20. In some embodiments, at least one modular rotary locking member 20 is asymmetrical. In some examples, at modular rotary locking member 20 comprises anchoring portion 22. Anchoring portion 22 includes a plurality of clamping elements 24.

In some embodiments, clamping elements 24 render at least one modular rotary locking member 20 readily connectable to at least one anchoring post 18. In some embodiments, clamping elements 24 render at least one modular rotary locking member 20 rotatable about at least one anchoring post 18.

In some embodiments, at least one modular rotary locking member 20 of foldable container 10 comprises elongated portion 26. Elongated portion 26 of modular rotary locking member 20 forms a continuum with anchoring portion 22. In some embodiments, at least one modular rotary locking member 20 of foldable container 10 further comprises terminal locking portion 28. Terminal locking portion 28 of modular rotary locking member 20 is configured for forming a readily formable and/or releasable connection between at least one of flanking sidewalls 16A and 16B and at least one of longitudinal sidewalls 14A and 14B.

In some embodiments, at least one modular rotary locking member 20 is configured to assume a locked configuration, in which terminal locking portion 28 of at least one modular rotary locking member 20 forms is operationally connected between at least one of flanking sidewalls 16A and 16B and at least one of longitudinal sidewalls 14A and 14B.

In some embodiments, at least one modular rotary locking member 20 is configured to assume an unlocked configuration, in which terminal locking portion 28 of at least one modular rotary locking member 20 does not form a connection between at least one of flanking sidewalls 16A and 16B and at least one of longitudinal sidewalls 14A and 14B.

In some embodiments, at least one modular rotary locking member 20 is translatable between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration by a rotational movement about at least one anchoring post 18. In some embodiments at least one modular rotary locking member 20 is rotatable about at least one anchoring post 18, in a plane essentially paralleling the plane of said at least one of flanking sidewalls 16A and 16B and/or to the plane of at least one of at least one of longitudinal sidewalls 14A and 14B.

In some embodiments, at least one modular rotary locking member 20 and at least one of flanking sidewalls 16A and 16B and/or at least one of longitudinal sidewalls 14A and 14B are configured to assume an assembled configuration, in which anchoring portion 22 of at least one modular rotary locking member 20 is clamped onto at least one anchoring post 18.

In some embodiments, at least one modular rotary locking member 20 and at least one of flanking sidewalls 16A and 16B and/or at least one of longitudinal sidewalls 14A and 14B are configured to assume a disassembled configuration, in which anchoring portion 22 of at least one modular rotary locking member 20 is released from at least one anchoring post 18.

In some embodiments, anchoring portion 22 of at least one modular rotary locking member 20 is assemblable onto at least one anchoring post 18 by a lateral movement of anchoring portion 22 of at least one modular rotary locking member 20 in a plane essentially paralleling the plane of at least one of flanking sidewalls 16A and 16B and/or to the plane of at least one of longitudinal sidewalls 14A and 14B.

In some embodiments, at least one of flanking sidewalls 16A and 16B and/or at least one of longitudinal sidewalls 14A and 14B comprises at least one side opening 30. At least one side opening 30 is configured for lateral insertion in the direction of arrow 32 of at least one modular rotary locking member 20 in a plane essentially paralleling the plane of at least one of flanking sidewalls 16A and/or to the plane of at least one of longitudinal sidewalls 14A and 14B, so as to assemble and/or mount at least one modular rotary locking member 20 onto at least one anchoring post 18.

In some embodiments, at least one modular rotary locking member 20 is installable on either of two anchoring posts, extending from the same sidewall of at least one of flanking sidewalls 16A and 16B and/or of at least one of longitudinal sidewalls 14A and 14B, essentially orthogonally to the plane of at least one of flanking sidewalls 16A and 16B and/or to said plane of at least one of at least one of longitudinal sidewalls 14A and 14B.

In some embodiments, foldable container 10 further comprises at least one biasing mechanism 34. In some examples, at least one biasing mechanism forms an integral part of at least one modular rotary locking member 20, whereas in other examples, at least one biasing mechanism forms an integral part of at least one of flanking sidewalls 16A and 16B and/or at least one of at least one of longitudinal sidewalls 14A and 14B; however in yet other examples at least one biasing mechanism is an individual and/or modular constituent.

In some examples, at least one biasing mechanism extends from the top face upwards and towards terminal locking portion 28 of at least one modular rotary locking member 20. At least one biasing mechanism 34 is configured for spontaneously drive at least one modular rotary locking member 20 into the locked configuration from the unlocked configuration of foldable container 10.

In some embodiments, foldable container 10 further comprises at least one handle 36. At least one handle 36 is configured for altering the configuration of at least one modular rotary locking member 20, from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration of foldable container 10.

In some embodiments, at least one modular rotary locking member 20 comprises first confining ridge 38A and second confining ridge 38B. In some examples, first confining ridge 38A and second confining ridge 38B are asymmetrical and disposed in deferent locations on essentially opposing sides of elongated portion 26 of at least one modular rotary locking member 20.

In some examples, first confining ridge 38A is configured for locking handle 36 to modular rotary locking member 20 on the left side of foldable container 10, so that handle 36 remains operationally connected to modular rotary locking member 20, at least whilst handle 36 is lifted. In some examples, second confining ridge 38B is configured for locking handle 36 to modular rotary locking member 20 on the right side of foldable container 10, so that handle 36 remains operationally connected to modular rotary locking member 20, at least whilst handle 36 is lifted.

In accordance with some aspects of the present invention, reference is now made to FIG. 5, showing high-level flowchart of process 100 of manufacturing a foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members. The embodiment of FIG. 5 illustrates various features that may be interchangeable with elements of any other embodiment described in the specification. In some embodiments, process 100 comprises step 102 of pre-manufacturing a bottom platform embodying an essentially rectangular shape.

In some embodiments, process 100 of manufacturing a foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members further comprises step 104 of pre-manufacturing a pair of longitudinal sidewalls. In some embodiments, process 100 includes step 106 of forming a hinged connection of the pair of the longitudinal sidewalls with the bottom platform and/or assembling longitudinal sidewalls onto the bottom platform.

In some embodiments, process 100 of manufacturing foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members further comprises step 108 of pre-manufacturing a pair of flanking sidewalls. In some embodiments, process 100 includes step 110 of forming a hinged connection of the pair of the flanking sidewalls with the bottom platform and/or assembling longitudinal sidewalls onto the bottom platform.

In some embodiments, process 100 of manufacturing foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members further comprises step 112 of forming at least one anchoring post, extending from at least one of the flanking sidewalls and/or from at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls, essentially orthogonally to a plane of at least one of the flanking sidewalls and/or to a plane of at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls. In some embodiments of process 100, step 112 of forming at least one anchoring post is performed concurrently with step 104 of pre-manufacturing a pair of longitudinal sidewalls and/or with step 108 of pre-manufacturing a pair of flanking sidewalls, for instance by molding the anchoring post, whilst molding longitudinal sidewalls and/or molding flanking sidewalls.

In some embodiments, process 100 includes step 114 of pre-manufacturing at least one modular rotary locking member. In some embodiments, at least one modular rotary locking member comprises an anchoring portion, comprising a plurality of clamping elements, such as anchoring portion 22 shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, in which the plurality of clamping elements rendering the modular rotary locking member readily connectable to at least one anchoring post, and in which the plurality of clamping elements rendering at least one modular rotary locking member rotatable about at least one anchoring post.

In some embodiments, step 114 of pre-manufacturing at least one modular rotary locking member comprises forming an elongated portion and further forming a continuum with the anchoring portion, such as elongated portion 26 shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C. In some embodiments, step 114 of pre-manufacturing at least one modular rotary locking member further comprises forming a terminal locking portion, configured to form a releasable connection between at least one of the flanking sidewalls and at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls, such as terminal locking portion 28 shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C.

In some embodiments, process 100 of manufacturing a foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members yet further comprises step 116 of pre-manufacturing at least one biasing mechanism, configured for spontaneously drive at least one modular rotary locking member into a locked configuration from an unlocked configuration. In some examples, where at least one biasing mechanism forms an integral part of at least one modular rotary locking member 20, step 116 of pre-manufacturing at least one biasing mechanism is optionally performed concurrently with step 114 of pre-manufacturing at least one modular rotary locking member, whereas in other examples, where at least one biasing mechanism forms an integral part of at least one of flanking sidewalls 16A and 16B and/or at least one of at least one of longitudinal sidewalls 14A and 14B, step 116 of pre-manufacturing at least one biasing mechanism is optionally performed concurrently with step 104 of pre-manufacturing a pair of longitudinal sidewalls and/or step 108 of pre-manufacturing a pair of flanking sidewalls; however in yet other examples, where at least one biasing mechanism is an individual and/or modular constituent, step 116 of pre-manufacturing at least one biasing mechanism is optionally an individual step performed independently to step 114 of pre-manufacturing at least one modular rotary locking member, step 104 of pre-manufacturing a pair of longitudinal sidewalls and/or step 108 of pre-manufacturing a pair of flanking sidewalls.

In some embodiments, process 100 still further includes step 118 of pre-manufacturing at least one handle, configured for altering the configuration of at least one modular rotary locking member, from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration.

In some embodiments, process 100 of manufacturing a foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, comprises step 120 of assembling and/or clamping the anchoring portion of at least one modular rotary locking member onto at least one anchoring post, preferably by a lateral movement of at least one modular rotary locking member.

In some embodiments, step 120 of assembling and/or clamping the anchoring portion of at least one modular rotary locking member onto at least one anchoring post by a lateral movement of at least one modular rotary locking member is performed in a plane essentially paralleling the plane of at least one of said flanking sidewalls and/or to the plane of at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls, in an essentially automated manner.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, reference is now made to FIG. 6, showing a schematic block diagram of system 200 for manufacturing a foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members. In some embodiments, system 200 for manufacturing a foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members of the embodiment of FIG. 6 illustrates various features that may be interchangeable with elements of any other embodiment described in the specification.

In some embodiments, system 200 comprises bottom platform manufacturing module 202. In some embodiments, bottom platform manufacturing module 202 typically comprises a mold or form embodying an essentially rectangular inverted shape of the bottom platform. In some embodiments, system 200 further comprises longitudinal sidewalls manufacturing module 204, in which the longitudinal sidewalls, such as longitudinal sidewalls 14A and 14B shown in FIG. 1A, are configured for forming a hinged connection with the bottom platform, such as bottom platform 12 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

In some embodiments, system 200 further comprises flanking sidewalls manufacturing module 206, in which the flanking sidewalls, such as flanking sidewalls 16A and 16B shown in FIG. 1A, are configured for forming a hinged connection with the bottom platform. In some examples, bottom platform manufacturing module 202, longitudinal sidewalls manufacturing module 204 and/or flanking sidewalls manufacturing module 206, as well as optionally any one of anchoring post manufacturing module 208, modular rotary locking member manufacturing module 210, biasing mechanism manufacturing module 212 and/or handle manufacturing module 214, in a non-limiting manner including: an extruder, injection molding machine, thermo-forming machine, vacuum-forming machine, pressure-forming machine or any combination of processing machines. In some embodiments bottom platform manufacturing module 202, longitudinal sidewalls manufacturing module 204 and/or flanking sidewalls manufacturing module 206 include at least one constituent selected from: a feed hopper, extruder barrel, extruder screw, extruder drive, extrusion discharge or die system, heating/cooling system and safety and control facilities.

In some embodiments, bottom platform manufacturing module 202, longitudinal sidewalls manufacturing module 204 and/or flanking sidewalls manufacturing module 206, as well as optionally any one of anchoring post manufacturing module 208, modular rotary locking member manufacturing module 210, biasing mechanism manufacturing module 212 and/or handle manufacturing module 214, comprise an injection molding machine, configured for making plastic parts using two-part molds. In such embodiments, when the two-part mold is closed, a melted plastic resin is injected into individual parts of the mold. In some embodiments, an injection molding machine includes injection and clamping units. In some examples, an injection unit comprises at least one constituent selected from: hopper, screw, heaters, drive and gearing unit, barrel and nozzle. In some examples, a clamping unit comprises at least one constituent selected from: stationary and movable platens, molds, tie rods, clamping and hydraulic cylinders.

In some embodiments, bottom platform manufacturing module 202, longitudinal sidewalls manufacturing module 204 and/or flanking sidewalls manufacturing module 206, as well as optionally any one of anchoring post manufacturing module 208, modular rotary locking member manufacturing module 210, biasing mechanism manufacturing module 212 and/or handle manufacturing module 214, comprise a thermoforming machine. In some examples, a thermoforming machine comprises at least one constituent selected from: a heater, molds, pick-up platform, heating platen assembly, feeder, cutting device. In some examples, bottom platform manufacturing module 202, longitudinal sidewalls manufacturing module 204 and/or flanking sidewalls manufacturing module 206, as well as optionally any one of anchoring post manufacturing module 208, modular rotary locking member manufacturing module 210, biasing mechanism manufacturing module 212 and/or handle manufacturing module 214, comprise a vacuum-forming machine including at least one constituent selected from: a heater, toggle clamp, molds, platen, lift handle, lift linkage, vacuum pump, fans and/or cool mist and trimer. In some embodiments, a pressure forming machine includes a group consisting of: heater, pressure box, toggle clamp, molds, platen, lift handle, lift linkage, vacuum pump, fans and/or cool mist and trim. In some embodiments, the molds, extruder die and nozzles is used by at least one of the plastic processing machines embody an inverted shape of a bottom plate-like part of a container.

In some embodiments, system 200 further includes anchoring post manufacturing module 208, in which the anchoring post, such as anchoring post 18 shown in FIG. 2B, extending from at least one of flanking sidewalls and/or from at least one of longitudinal sidewalls, essentially orthogonally to a plane of at least one of the flanking sidewalls and/or to a plane of at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls. It should be acknowledged that in some embodiments, anchoring post manufacturing module 208 forms an integral part of longitudinal sidewalls manufacturing module 204 and/or flanking sidewalls manufacturing module 206 and functions concurrently with pre-manufacturing a pair of longitudinal sidewalls and/or pre-manufacturing a pair of flanking sidewalls, for instance by molding the anchoring post, whilst molding longitudinal sidewalls and/or molding flanking sidewalls.

However in other embodiments, anchoring post manufacturing module 208 is an individual appliance that forms no part of longitudinal sidewalls manufacturing module 204 and/or flanking sidewalls manufacturing module 206 and functions independently to pre-manufacturing a pair of longitudinal sidewalls and/or to pre-manufacturing a pair of flanking sidewalls, for instance by mounting a previously pre-manufactured anchoring post, subsequently to molding longitudinal sidewalls and/or molding flanking sidewalls.

In some embodiments, system 200 further comprises modular rotary locking member manufacturing module 210, in which the modular rotary locking member includes an anchoring portion, comprising a plurality of clamping elements, such as anchoring portion 22 shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, rendering the modular rotary locking member readily connectable to at least one anchoring post and rotatable about the anchoring post. In some embodiments, the modular rotary locking member of modular rotary locking member manufacturing module 210 further comprises a mold or form embodying an elongated portion, such as elongated portion 26 shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, forming a continuum with the anchoring portion and a terminal locking portion, such as terminal locking portion 28 shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C.

In some embodiments, the modular rotary locking member manufactured by modular rotary locking member manufacturing module 210 is configured to assume a locked configuration, in which the terminal locking portion of at least one modular rotary locking member forms a connection between at least one of the flanking sidewalls and at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls. In some embodiments, the modular rotary locking member manufactured by modular rotary locking member manufacturing module 210 is configured assume an unlocked configuration, in which the terminal locking portion of at least one modular rotary locking member not forming a connection between at least one of the flanking sidewalls and at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls.

In some embodiments, system 200 further comprises biasing mechanism manufacturing module 212, in which the biasing mechanism, such as biasing mechanism 34 shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, is configured for spontaneously driving at least one modular rotary locking member into a locked configuration from an unlocked configuration. In some examples, where at least one biasing mechanism forms an integral part of the modular rotary locking member, biasing mechanism manufacturing module 212 is optionally an integral part of locking member manufacturing module 210, whereas in other examples, where at least one biasing mechanism forms an integral part of at least one of flanking sidewalls 16A and 16B and/or at least one of at least one of longitudinal sidewalls 14A and 14B, biasing mechanism manufacturing module 212 is optionally an integral part of longitudinal sidewalls manufacturing module 204 and/or flanking sidewalls manufacturing module 206; however in yet other examples, where at least one biasing mechanism is an individual and/or modular constituent biasing mechanism manufacturing module 212 is optionally an individual appliance functioning independently to locking member manufacturing module 210, longitudinal sidewalls manufacturing module 204 and/or flanking sidewalls manufacturing module 206.

In some embodiments, system 200 further comprises handle manufacturing module 214, in which the handle, such as handle 36 shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, is configured for altering the configuration of at least one modular rotary locking member, between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration.

In some embodiments, system 200 further comprises automated assembling mechanism 216. Automated assembling mechanism 216 is configured for assembling the anchoring portion of at least one modular rotary locking member onto at least one anchoring post by performing a lateral insertion, of at least one modular rotary locking member, via at least one side opening, such as side opening 30 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, which is configured for lateral insertion in the direction of arrow 32, shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, of at least one modular rotary locking member in a plane essentially paralleling the plane of at least one of flanking sidewalls land/or to the plane of at least one of longitudinal sidewalls, so as to assemble and/or mount the at least one modular rotary locking member onto the at least one anchoring post. In some examples, automated assembling mechanism 216 comprises a mechanical appending appliance, configured for positioning the at least one modular rotary locking member vis-à-vis the at least one side opening, such as side opening 30 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and/or a mechanical or pneumatic applicator device, configured for assembling the anchoring portion of at least one modular rotary locking member onto at least one anchoring post by performing a lateral insertion, via at least one side opening, such as side opening 30 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

In some embodiments, at least one modular rotary locking member, manufactured by modular rotary locking member manufacturing module 210, as well as the flanking sidewalls of flanking sidewalls manufacturing module 206 and/or the longitudinal sidewalls of longitudinal sidewalls manufacturing module 204 are configured to assume an assembled configuration, in which the anchoring portion of at least one modular rotary locking member is clamped onto the anchoring post, and a disassembled configuration, in which the anchoring portion of at least one modular rotary locking member is released from the anchoring post.

INDEX OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

Within the specification hereinabove inter alia the following numerals were used to denote the particular constituents in the appended drawings:

• • 10—foldable container
  • 12—bottom platform
  • 14—pair of longitudinal sidewalls
  • 16—flanking sidewalls
  • 18—anchoring post
  • 20—modular rotary locking member
  • 22—anchoring portion
  • 24—clamping elements
  • 26—elongated portion
  • 28—terminal locking portion
  • 30—side opening
  • 32—directional arrow
  • 34—biasing mechanism
  • 36—handle
  • 38A—first confining ridge
  • 38B—second confining ridge
  • 100—process of manufacturing foldable container
  • 102—pre-manufacturing bottom platform
  • 104—pre-manufacturing longitudinal sidewalls
  • 106—forming a hinged connection of sidewalls with bottom platform
  • 108—pre-manufacturing flanking sidewalls
  • 110—forming a hinged connection of sidewalls with bottom platform
  • 112—forming an anchoring post
  • 114—pre-manufacturing modular rotary locking member
  • 116—pre-manufacturing biasing mechanism
  • 118—manufacturing handle
  • 120—assembling anchoring portion
  • 200—system for manufacturing foldable container
  • 202—bottom platform manufacturing module
  • 204—longitudinal sidewalls manufacturing module
  • 206—flanking sidewalls manufacturing module
  • 208—anchoring post manufacturing module
  • 210—modular rotary locking member manufacturing module
  • 212—biasing mechanism manufacturing module
  • 214—handle manufacturing module
  • 216—automated assembling mechanism

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art of the invention that various features and/or elements elaborated in the context of a specific embodiment described hereinabove and/or referenced herein and/or illustrated by a particular example in a certain drawing enclosed hereto, whether method, system, device or product, is/are interchangeable with features and/or elements of any other embodiment described in the specification and/or shown in the drawings.

Moreover, skilled persons would appreciate that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the invention is defined by the claims which follow:

Claims

1. A foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, said container comprises:

(a) a bottom platform comprising an essentially rectangular shape;

(b) a pair of longitudinal sidewalls, forming a hinged connection with said bottom platform;

(c) a pair of flanking sidewalls, forming a hinged connection with said bottom platform;

(d) at least one anchoring post, extending from at least one of said flanking sidewalls and/or from at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls, essentially orthogonally to a plane of said at least one of said flanking sidewalls and/or to a plane of at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls;

(e) at least one modular rotary locking member comprising: (I) an anchoring portion, comprising a plurality of clamping elements; wherein said clamping elements rendering said modular rotary locking member readily connectable to said at least one anchoring post, and wherein said clamping elements rendering said at least one modular rotary locking member rotatable about said at least one anchoring post; (II) an elongated portion, forming a continuum with said anchoring portion; (III) a terminal locking portion, configured to form a releasable connection between at least one of said flanking sidewalls and at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls; wherein said at least one modular rotary locking member is configured to assume: (i) a locked configuration, wherein said terminal locking portion of said at least one modular rotary locking member forming a connection between at least one of said flanking sidewalls and at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls; (ii) an unlocked configuration, wherein said terminal locking portion of said at least one modular rotary locking member not forming a connection between at least one of said flanking sidewalls and at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls;

(f) at least one biasing mechanism, configured for spontaneously drive said at least one modular rotary locking member into a configuration selected from the group consisting of: said locked configuration and said unlocked configuration;

(g) at least one handle, configured for altering said configuration of said at least one modular rotary locking member, between said locked configuration and said unlocked configuration.

2. The foldable container as in claim 1, wherein said at least one modular rotary locking member is translatable between said locked configuration and said unlocked configuration by a rotational movement about said at least one anchoring post.

3. The foldable container as in claim 1, wherein said at least one modular rotary locking member is rotatable about said at least one anchoring post, in a plane essentially paralleling said plane of said at least one of said flanking sidewalls and/or to said plane of at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls.

4. The foldable container as in claim 1, wherein said at least one modular rotary locking member and said at least one of said flanking sidewalls and/or said at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls are configured to assume:

(i) an assembled configuration, wherein said anchoring portion of said at least one modular rotary locking member is clamped onto said at least one anchoring post;

(ii) a disassembled configuration, wherein said anchoring portion of said at least one modular rotary locking member is released from said at least one anchoring post.

5. The foldable container as in claim 4, wherein said anchoring portion of said at least one modular rotary locking member is assemblable onto said at least one anchoring post by a lateral movement of said at least one modular rotary locking member in a plane essentially paralleling said plane of said at least one of said flanking sidewalls and/or to said plane of at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls.

6. The foldable container as in claim 1, wherein said at least one of said flanking sidewalls and/or said at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls comprises at least one side opening, configured for lateral insertion of said at least one modular rotary locking member in a plane essentially paralleling said plane of said at least one of said flanking sidewalls and/or to said plane of at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls.

7. The foldable container as in claim 1, wherein said at least one modular rotary locking member is asymmetrical.

8. The foldable container as in claim 1, wherein said at least one modular rotary locking member is installable on either of two anchoring posts, extending from said at least one of said flanking sidewalls and/or from said at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls, essentially orthogonally to said plane of said at least one of said flanking sidewalls and/or to said plane of at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls.

9. The foldable container as in claim 1, wherein said at least one modular rotary locking member comprises a confining ridge.

10. The foldable container as in claim 1, wherein said at least one modular rotary locking member comprises a first confining ridge and a second confining ridge, disposed on essentially opposing sides of said elongated portion.

11. A process of manufacturing foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, said container comprises:

(a) pre-manufacturing a bottom platform comprising an essentially rectangular shape;

(b) pre-manufacturing a pair of longitudinal sidewalls;

(c) forming a hinged connection of said pair of said longitudinal sidewalls with said bottom platform;

(d) pre-manufacturing a pair of flanking sidewalls;

(e) forming a hinged connection of said pair of said flanking sidewalls with said bottom platform;

(f) forming at least one anchoring post, extending from at least one of said flanking sidewalls and/or from at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls, essentially orthogonally to a plane of said at least one of said flanking sidewalls and/or to a plane of at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls;

(g) pre-manufacturing at least one modular rotary locking member comprising: (I) an anchoring portion, comprising a plurality of clamping elements; wherein said clamping elements rendering said modular rotary locking member readily connectable to said at least one anchoring post, and wherein said clamping elements rendering said at least one modular rotary locking member rotatable about said at least one anchoring post; (II) an elongated portion, forming a continuum with said anchoring portion; (III) a terminal locking portion, configured to form a releasable connection between at least one of said flanking sidewalls and at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls; wherein said at least one modular rotary locking member is configured to assume: (i) a locked configuration, wherein said terminal locking portion of said at least one modular rotary locking member forming a connection between at least one of said flanking sidewalls and at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls; (ii) an unlocked configuration, wherein said terminal locking portion of said at least one modular rotary locking member not forming a connection between at least one of said flanking sidewalls and at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls;

(h) pre-manufacturing at least one biasing mechanism, configured for spontaneously drive said at least one modular rotary locking member into a configuration selected from the group consisting of: said locked configuration and said unlocked configuration;

(i) pre-manufacturing at least one handle, configured for altering said configuration of said at least one modular rotary locking member, between said locked configuration and said unlocked configuration;

(j) assembling said anchoring portion of said at least one modular rotary locking member onto said at least one anchoring post by a lateral movement of said at least one modular rotary locking member.

12. The process as in claim 11, wherein said at least one modular rotary locking member is rotatable about said at least one anchoring post, in a plane essentially paralleling said plane of said at least one of said flanking sidewalls and/or to said plane of at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls.

13. The process as in claim 11, wherein said at least one modular rotary locking member and said at least one of said flanking sidewalls and/or said at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls are configured to assume:

(i) an assembled configuration, wherein said anchoring portion of said at least one modular rotary locking member is clamped onto said at least one anchoring post;

(ii) a disassembled configuration, wherein said anchoring portion of said at least one modular rotary locking member is released from said at least one anchoring post.

14. The process as in claim 11, wherein said at least one of said flanking sidewalls and/or said at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls comprises at least one side opening, configured for lateral insertion of said at least one modular rotary locking member in a plane essentially paralleling said plane of said at least one of said flanking sidewalls and/or to said plane of at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls.

15. The process as in claim 11, wherein said assembling of said anchoring portion of said at least one modular rotary locking member onto said at least one anchoring post by said lateral movement of said at least one modular rotary locking member is performed in a plane essentially paralleling said plane of said at least one of said flanking sidewalls and/or to said plane of at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls.

16. A system for manufacturing foldable container with laterally assemblable modular locking members, said container comprises:

(a) a bottom platform manufacturing module, wherein said bottom platform comprising an essentially rectangular shape;

(b) a longitudinal sidewalls manufacturing module, wherein said longitudinal sidewalls forming a hinged connection with said bottom platform;

(c) a flanking sidewalls manufacturing module, wherein said flanking sidewalls forming a hinged connection with said bottom platform;

(d) an anchoring post manufacturing module, wherein said anchoring post extending from at least one of said flanking sidewalls and/or from at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls, essentially orthogonally to a plane of said at least one of said flanking sidewalls and/or to a plane of at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls;

(e) a modular rotary locking member manufacturing module, wherein said modular rotary locking member comprising: (I) an anchoring portion, comprising a plurality of clamping elements; wherein said clamping elements rendering said modular rotary locking member readily connectable to said at least one anchoring post, and wherein said clamping elements rendering said at least one modular rotary locking member rotatable about said at least one anchoring post; (II) an elongated portion, forming a continuum with said anchoring portion; (III) a terminal locking portion, configured to form a releasable connection between at least one of said flanking sidewalls and at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls; wherein said at least one modular rotary locking member is configured to assume: (i) a locked configuration, wherein said terminal locking portion of said at least one modular rotary locking member forming a connection between at least one of said flanking sidewalls and at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls; (ii) an unlocked configuration, wherein said terminal locking portion of said at least one modular rotary locking member not forming a connection between at least one of said flanking sidewalls and at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls;

(f) a biasing mechanism manufacturing module, wherein said biasing mechanism is configured for spontaneously drive said at least one modular rotary locking member into a configuration selected from the group consisting of: said locked configuration and said unlocked configuration;

(g) a handle manufacturing, module, wherein said handle is configured for altering said configuration of said at least one modular rotary locking member, between said locked configuration and said unlocked configuration;

(h) an automated assembling mechanism, wherein assembling mechanism is configured for assembling said anchoring portion of said at least one modular rotary locking member onto said at least one anchoring post by performing a lateral insertion of said at least one modular rotary locking member.

17. The system as in claim 16, wherein said at least one modular rotary locking member and said flanking sidewalls and/or said longitudinal sidewalls are configured to assume:

(i) an assembled configuration, wherein said anchoring portion of said at least one modular rotary locking member is clamped onto said at least one anchoring post;

(ii) a disassembled configuration, wherein said anchoring portion of said at least one modular rotary locking member is released from said at least one anchoring post.

18. The system as in claim 16, wherein said flanking sidewalls and/or said longitudinal sidewalls comprise at least one side opening, configured for lateral insertion of said at least one modular rotary locking member in a plane essentially paralleling said plane of said at least one of said flanking sidewalls and/or to said plane of at least one of said longitudinal sidewalls.

19. The system as in claim 16, wherein assembling of said anchoring portion of said at least one modular rotary locking member onto said at least one anchoring post by said lateral movement of said at least one modular rotary locking member is performed in a plane essentially paralleling said plane of said flanking sidewalls and/or to said plane of said longitudinal sidewalls.

20. The system as in claim 16, wherein said at least one modular rotary locking member comprises a first confining ridge and a second confining ridge, disposed on essentially opposing sides of said elongated portion.