Abstract: A collapsible container molded from plastic materials, comprising four side walls, a bottom, and a lid. Side walls are hinged to the bottom to fold inwardly. The hinges are designed to facilitate mold-removing after injection molding. Groove ribs and strip ribs are provided to hold the structure rigid. Eave device is provided on the hinges to make the container weather-proof.

Abstract: A one piece polymeric plastic tray has a plurality of U-shaped troughs. At least one upright end wall is integral in one piece with and pivotably connected to said partitions at the bight portion of the troughs. Said end wall and at least some of said partitions having cooperating means to facilitate latching said end wall in an upright disposition generally perpendicular to said partitions.

Abstract: Apparatus for use both as a platform for drum-set performances and as a carrier for such a set. The apparatus consists of a rectangular bottom section with two or more side members hinged thereto for raising to a vertical position or lowering to a horizontal position. Castors are attached to at least two of such side members so that when they are raised, the castors extend downward from the bottom section, and when lowered, the castors are retracted above the bottom section. With the side members raised, the drum-set can be placed upon the bottom section, and the entire unit rolled, or carried by provided handles. With the side members lowered, the drum-set can be placed upon the bottom section and side members, and the apparatus used as a performance platform.

Abstract: A collapsible material handling container comprising a deck bed having a plurality of support legs thereon, and a deck mat fixed to the upper surface of the deck bed. A first side wall is hinged along the lower edge thereof to the deck mat, and a pair of opposed end walls are hinged along the front edges thereof to the opposite side edges of the first side wall. A second side wall is hinged along the lower edge thereof to the deck mat. In the erected condition of the container, the second side wall is connectible to the end walls by releasable lock mechanisms. The upper portion of the first side wall may comprise a gate having a releasable lock mechanism which coacts with the end walls for connecting the gate to the walls, in the erected condition of the container. The hinges between the first side wall and the end walls extend vertically along only the lower portion of the first side wall.

Abstract: A freight carrier having a base structure forming a freight carrying platform which is provided at each corner with a corner post pivotally mounted for movement between an upright erect position and a folded position in which the post lies parallel to the platform. An interlocking mechanism is provided at each corner of the carrier to enable the carrier with the corner posts in their folded position, to be interlocked with a similar carrier which is stacked thereon and the interlocking mechanism includes a clamping arrangement to enable the stacked interlocked carriers to be clamped together. The interlocking mechanism is also arranged to lock an associated corner post in the erect position and clamps the corner post to the base structure in this erect position.

Abstract: A lightweight collapsible shipping container is provided having a unitary molded construction in which a bottom panel is hingedly joined to four peripheral side panels and a top panel is hingedly joined to one of said side panels in a manner to provide an essentially co-planar and stackable association of panels when in knockdown condition, with edges of said side panels and top panel having interlocking means as the side panels are raised to positions perpendicular to the bottom panel and the top panel is lowered over the assembled side panels.

Abstract: An elongate, box-like collapsible cargo container including horizontal, vertically spaced top and bottom walls, normally vertical end walls and normally vertical sectional side walls; said end walls have frames about their perimeter, hinge means between the bottom edges of the end walls and ends of the bottom wall whereby the end walls can be selectively pivoted longitudinally inwardly and downwardly to collapsed horizontal positions atop the bottom walls; said sectional side walls include longitudinally extending upper and lower panels, hinge means between the upper and lower panels between the bottom wall and the lower panels and between the top wall and the upper panels, whereby said panels can be pivoted laterally inwardly to horizontal collapsed positions between the top wall and the end walls when said end walls are in their collapsed position; the frames of the end walls define axially inwardly opening channels along the top and side edges of the end walls and the top and side walls have axially outwar

Abstract: A molded plastic, substantially planar, plate member which, when assembled, forms an open-topped electrical outlet box. The flat plastic plate member has end walls and side walls which are all foldable along living hinges relative to a bottom wall until further movement is prevented by raised projections to thereby form a three-dimensional box. Mounting sleeves are integrally formed in the end walls for receiving mounting nails. Flanges are also integrally formed in the end walls for receiving stamped Tinnerman-type nuts. Channels are integrally formed in the end walls and receive lateral edges of the side walls; slots in the channels receive tabs integrally formed on the lateral edges of the side walls. Additional tabs also integrally formed on the lateral edges of the side walls have U-shaped recesses therein for receiving the stem of the mounting nail with a snap-type action.

Abstract: A foldable, stackable pallet suitable for dense objects, such as bags of coins. The pallet has two removable side walls which can be stored flat beneath folded end walls which are erected by a pair of depending plates having vertical slots engaging transverse pivots.

Abstract: A multiple panel container especially useful for compost tanks, grain bins, and the like storage constructions has pairs of hinged together corner forming panels overlapping with each other or with insert panels. The panels have a plurality of spaced recesses along the width thereof to be aligned at the overlap and receive fasteners fixedly securing the panels together to form the perimeter of an enclosure of desired size which can be covered with a tarpaulin supported from expansible and contractable trusses. The panels can be arranged to provide compartments in the enclosure and to provide access doors. The panels can be folded flatwise and stacked in a compact pile when not in use. The panels can be composed of plywood, metal, sheet plastic material or the like.

Abstract: A collapsible and stackable plastic transport case comprises first and second pairs of like side walls hingedly connected together and a bottom and cover each hingedly connected to the lower and upper edges respectively of one of the side walls. Each side wall of the first pair has one vertical edge hingedly connected with the adjacent vertical edge of the respective side wall of the second pair while at the other vertical edge it is provided with connecting portions which project inwardly a distance corresponding to the combined thickness of the side wall and the bottom are hingedly connected to the respective side wall of the second pair at a distance from the vertical edge corresponding to the projection of the connecting portions. The hinged connections comprise pivot pins on one member and U-shaped bearing eyes on the other member which snap over the pivot pins in assembling the case.

Abstract: A steel wire stackable upsettable-wall container is described which comprises a base plane, preferably of rectangular shape, and four upsettable reticular structures, made of steel wire and acting as side walls, rear wall and front wall. The front wall is laterally provided with two vertically movable plates which, as the container is assembled, are raised and engage hook elements located at the sides of the reticular structures. The edges of the three sides of each plate are bent or folded back and engage the steel wires of the front wall reticular structure. Each hook element is inwardly bent and has the upper corner rounded in such a way as to act as a slanted plane for the corresponding plate.

Abstract: A box folded from a box blank. The box blank has a nominally planar bottom member and four nominally planar sidewall members. The sidewall members are disposed in a cruciform array. Each of said members has an edge. Respective edges of the bottom member and sidewall members are adjacent to each other in pairs, and are laterally spaced apart from one another along a respective fold axis. A strap hinge is respective to each pair of edges, joining the members together whereby to permit rotation of the members relative to one another along the fold axis. A tooth is formed on one of the members and a recess is formed in the other of the members, the tooth and recess each having a restraint face which when engaged by the other restrains the member from lateral translational separation normal to the fold axis along the plane of one of the members. The box blank is preferably made of molded plastic and can be formed in a single piece.

Abstract: A collapsible container of the open-platform type for containing goods comprises a generally rectangular platform base having a stub corner post at each corner of the platform base. At its upper end, each corner post has means for coupling it to a bottom corner portion of a superimposed container. A corner post is pivotally connected to each stub corner post about an axis substantially parallel to the longer side of the base for movement from a folded-down position in which it lies below the level of the tops of the stub corner posts, through a vertical position into a position slightly beyond the vertical to enable bracing means to be swung upwards and coupled between the two corner posts at each of the two ends of the frame to hold them in their vertical positions.

Abstract: A packing case molded from plastic materials comprises two side walls including two half-walls rotatably connected to each other by tenon/mortise joint and hinge elements, two end walls rotatably connected to the adjacent side walls by tenon/mortise joint and hinge elements, and two cover plates removeably intersecting with said connected walls, thereby to form a foldable container which can easily pack or unpack without need of any external means, and can be folded into a collapsed form that is easily recovered for further use.

Abstract: A container comprises a rectangular top, bottom and sides. The sides each have two ends which are normally vertical. There is a hinge generally adjacent the bottom and one side permitting the one side to pivot outwardly. There is an angle section with an outwardly directed flange near each end of the one side and channel sections with inwardly directed flanges on the ends of the two other sides adjacent ends of the one side. The angle sections are engageable with the channel sections to constrain outward movement of the one side about the hinge. A latch constrains inward movement of the one side when the latch is engaged. A mechanism can deflect the outwardly directed flanges to permit the one side to pivot outwardly about the hinge for loading and unloading the container.

Abstract: A solar stove having a casing with four rectangular reflective panels foldably attached and surrounding the perimeter of the upper edge of the casing, the panels being foldable against the casing to form a neat package. Each panel is attached to an opposite panel by a flexible cord, the cords crossing each other when the panels are opened to aid the user in aiming the solar stove directly into the sun. Triangular panels are removably attached to the sides of adjacent rectangular panels to fill the space created when the rectangular panels are opened to approximately 45.degree. past vertical. The oven is a drawer fitting in the casing and removable either horizontally or vertically, the drawer having multiple layer construction for heat retention and a dark interior surface for converting solar rays to heat.

Abstract: A tight-fitting corner construction is provided for use between adjacent, integrally connected parts of a common panel. A specially configured, three-sided miter groove is formed between the panel parts, and the panel is folded to close the groove and to form a corner between the panel parts. An overhanging lip is provided on one of the panel parts along one side of the groove. When the panel is folded to form a corner, the lip is brought into overlying engagement with inner surface portions of the other panel part to effect a thorough, tight-fitting closure of the groove. The panel preferably comprises a hollow, elongated plastic member which is used to form the sides and back of a drawer frame. Snap-acting locking devices are carried in hollow portions of the panel adjacent the corner locations to lock the panel in its folded configuration. A drawer front carries connectors which project into hollow portions of the drawer sides.

Abstract: This receptacle adapted to constitute a wire-netting basket or basket heightening device comprises four lateral panels and possibly a bottom panel, said four panels being provided with interlocking hook means and passages so arranged that when a first panel has been assembled with a pair of adjacent lateral panels the fourth panel can be lowered to its final locking and assembling position to provide a rigid structure free of hinges, pivot means and the like.

Abstract: A transport container especially suitable to be supported on a cart or trolley, and also suitable for use in an aircraft, if desired, is constructed as a parallelepiped. Two oppositely located doors are connected by hinges to a frame structure. The hinges form part of the frame structure and allow the doors to open through an angle of 270.degree.. Corner braces having mutually perpendicular tenons mate with tubular metal stock such as sectional rods to form the frame of the container. The metal rods have U-rails for the mounting of wall, floor, door, and cover plates. A door locking mechanism is located in a hollow chamber of a door member or stile. The locking mechanism includes an interconnection of a sliding bar and two lock bolts. The rotation of a door handle actuates the lock bolts which retract into the stile for opening the door.

Abstract: A blank for forming an open topped container having at least one double wall. The blank comprises an open topped single walled container having a number of side walls. The single wall container has integrally formed therewith at least one panel which is foldable into a position where it overlies one of the side walls of the container.

Abstract: A returnable shipping container includes top and bottom closure members each having inner indentations and an outer affixed metal member forming a peripheral slot with collapsible first and second body members formed to fit into the bottom and top slots and adjoining edges with aligned notches and tabs. A stabilizing insert fits into the indentations of the top and bottom closure members and the notches of the first and second body members.

Abstract: A collapsible treatment container has a rectangular elongated base whose outer edge is formed at the rim provided with hinges on which pivot a pair of opposite side walls and another pair of opposite end walls. The side walls and end walls are both centrally formed with stiffening ribs terminating at their bottom in abutments engageable with formations on the base so as to prevent pivoting of these walls beyond an erected position perpendicular to the base, but allowing them to be collapsed and flattened down over the base. The end walls are formed with two spaced sockets and the side walls have tongues of projections engageable with the sockets so as to rigidly lock the assemblies together. The sockets at each corner of the assembly are so arranged and constructed that the tongue or tongues closer to the hinge are engaged in their respective socket or sockets before the other so as to insure easy assembly of the structure.

Abstract: A reusable container which when unfolded and assembled may be used to store and ship products and provided with means for compactly re-folding or disassembling for return to source of origin and subsequently reused.

Abstract: A collapsible material handling container comprising a deck bed having a plurality of support legs thereon, and a deck mat fixed to the upper surface of the deck bed. A first side wall is hinged along the lower edge thereof to the deck mat, and a pair of opposed end walls are hinged along the front edges thereof to the opposite side edges of the first side wall. A second side wall is hinged along the lower edge thereof to the deck mat. In the erected condition of the container, the second side wall is connectible to the end walls by releasable lock mechanisms. The upper portion of the first side wall may comprise a gate having a releasable lock mechanism which coacts with the end walls for connecting the gate to the walls, in the erected condition of the container. The hinges between the first side wall and the end walls extend vertically along only the lower portion of the first side wall.

Abstract: A collapsible crate for shipping produce and the like comprising a base portion, two inwardly folding end-wall members and two inwardly folding side-wall members. Each wall member is divided into an upper and lower portion by means of a unitary hinge, wherein the lower portions of the wall members are fixably attached to vertical flanges which extend from the base portion. The vertical edges of the upper portions of the wall members are provided with a plurality of stops and latches which hold the wall members in an upright engaged position when the crate is assembled.

Abstract: In a goods transporting or handling receptacle or cart made of metal wire, the lateral walls are adapted to be folded on the bottom thereof and at least one of said lateral walls comprises a notch-like aperture having a shutter hingedly mounted at its bottom edge. Mounted on each side of said one wall is a locking device comprising a sliding bolt engaging a pair of lugs carried by a carrier plate rigid wth said one wall side and formed with a shoulder portion acting as a keeper to said sliding bolt.A resilient clamp is adapted to be engaged by a control member rigid with said sliding bolt for holding the latter either in an intermediate position, in which said shutter is locked in its closed position and said one wall is locked with respect to the adjacent lateral wall, or in a first end position in which said sliding bolt is released from said shutter to permit the opening thereof, or in another end position in which said sliding bolt is released from said adjacent wall.

Abstract: This container, such as a tote box or pallet heightening container, comprises an opening in one of its side walls, and at least one movable shutter for closing said opening. The shutter is hingedly mounted at its bottom edge by means of elongated rings to the bottom edge of the opening or of the next underlying shutter, if any. Side lock bolts are rigidly secured to the upper portion of each shutter and adapted to engage through notches a U-sectioned lateral slideway running along the lateral edges of the opening. Detent means are provided for holding the shutter in its open position.

Abstract: A container blank comprises a base panel; wall panels joined to the base panel; and a lid panel joined to one of the wall panels along an edge thereof remote from its junction with the base panel. The junctions between the panels are formed by hinges which are integral with the panels. Interengageable fingers and openings are provided for releasably securing the walls in their erected condition, the fingers being disposed on edge portions of at least some of the wall panels for passing through the openings and hooking over edge portions of the adjacent wall panels.

Abstract: A horizontal rectangular base may be detachably secured to a conventional bench-type automobile seat by placing two like, parallel, flexible, flat arms that extend downwardly and rearwardly away from the rear end of the base into the space between the back and bottom of the seat. Upon the base are four rectangular walls that are hingedly mounted in a manner that the walls can all be folded flat above the base, or locked into vertical planes by lock means. The walls, base and arms are made of clear plastic.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a fastening device for use in collapsible containers of the kind comprising on one hand a wall portion including a plurality of walls which are interconnected by means of hinges, on the other at least one sheet portion detachably connected to the wall portion, e.g. a bottom or a lid, at least one locking mechanism being associated with the sheet portion or alternatively the wall portion, the locking mechanism comprising one or a plurality of locking members which are each movable between a locking position inside a recess of the wall portion or alternatively the sheet portion and a releasing position outside the recess, wherein the locking members are arranged to press the sheet portion and wall portion against each other by a wedging action on the introduction of the locking members into the recesses.

Abstract: A box which can be injection molded flat, erected in the field, and when empty knocked down for return shipment. Features include improved structure for holding the parts assembled and for withstanding the stresses of handling, shipping and storage.

Abstract: An air cargo shipping container comprising a rectangular base of molded synthetic resin material which is chemically inert to most substances, the base having a plurality of legs formed in its bottom for supporting the base above the ground. These legs are spaced for entry of the lifting tines of a forklift or the like and each leg is hollow and open at its upper end thus defining a plurality of reservoirs on the inside of the base for confining spilled cargo. The base has an integral lip around its periphery which extends up above the level of the base. The container further has three panels hingedly secured to the lip for swinging between a generally vertical, erect position and a generally horizontal, folded position in which the panels overlie the base, and a fourth or front panel. The vertical edges of adjacent panels are releasably secured together and the front panel is readily removable from the base and from the adjacent side panels so as to enable loading and unloading of the container.

Abstract: A collapsible container including a flat rectangular shaped base, an end wall portion rotatably connected to each end of the base and two slidable side wall portions whose ends slide into and are received by the edges of the end wall portions. Latches are provided on the side wall portions for locking the side wall portions to the end wall portions to prevent the side wall portions from moving when the container is in an inverted position. Leg members are also attached to the corners of the base and these leg members have stacking members which permit the erected containers to be readily stacked on top of each other. The container is also easily collapsible into a compact configuration with no loose components which might be subject to being lost.

Abstract: A collapsible shipping container having overlapping upstanding walls and a collapsible reusable liner providing a sterile environment for the container contents when in the erected position. A removable lid effects a seal with the upstanding walls to prevent entry of undesired matter into the enclosed container and enable vertical stacking of a plurality of the containers.

Abstract: A combined container and dispenser for liquids such as milk and the like comprises a reusable, rigid case having an open top, and containing a flexible plastic bag filled with liquid, the bag having a dispensing tube extending therefrom near one end of the case to enable dispensing of the liquid by gravity after the case is disposed on its one end in an appropriate dispenser. The case includes a pair of pivotally mounted brackets adapted to be pivoted or folded over the open top of the case into a closed position to retain the filled bag in the case during dispensing of the liquid. When the brackets are in their closed position, overlying the open top of the case, the dimensions of the case correspond to those of the standard disposable bulk milk box that fits within a standard bulk milk dispensing cabinet. When closed the brackets increase the width dimension of the case.

Abstract: The novel, knocked-down storage trunk comprising the present invention includes two rigid, molded plastic shells and pairs of side and end walls. In the assembled condition a first pair of lower, inner and outer, concentric clamp rings are used to secure the lower edge of the side and end walls to the lower shell. A second, upper pair of inner and outer concentric clamp rings are secured to the upper edges of the side and end walls. Mating inner and outer vertical corner members are secured to each other and are captured in the upper and lower pairs of concentric clamp rings. The upper shell is hingedly secured to the rear side wall and conventional locks extend between and serve to couple the upper shell and the front side wall. In the knocked-down condition the upper shell nests within the lower shell and the lower shell is seated within the lower concentric pair of clamp rings.

Abstract: A collapsible cart is disclosed comprising a pair of wheels supporting a pair of spaced side walls above cart supporting terrain a predetermined distance. A pair of floor members are pivotably supported together and with the end walls for movement between a floor expanded position along a common plane extending between the side walls and a floor collapsed position extending downwardly from the side walls. Two pairs of end walls are pivotably joined to opposite ends of the side walls and to each other for movement between expanded positions extending normally between the side walls with the floor members in the floor expanded position and folded positions between the side walls with the floor members in the floor collapsed position.