U.S. patent application number 10/677745 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-03 for collapsible container.
Invention is credited to Apps, William P., Hassell, Jon P..
Application Number | 20040104231 10/677745 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32397004 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040104231 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hassell, Jon P. ; et
al. |
June 3, 2004 |
Collapsible container
Abstract
A collapsible container has a base member and an end wall
pivotably attached to the base member by a hinge mechanism for
allowing the end wall to pivotably move between a folded position
and an upright position. The end wall has lateral edges with latch
members formed therein. Also included is a pair of opposed side
walls each pivotably attached to the base member by a hinge
mechanism for allowing the side walls to pivotably move between a
folded position and an upright position. Each of the side walls
includes an upper surface which is substantially beveled along its
length, and a rear flanged portion having a latch receiver formed
therein for receiving a respective latch member and for securing
the container in an assembled position.
Inventors: |
Hassell, Jon P.; (Atlanta,
GA) ; Apps, William P.; (Alpharetta, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KONSTANTINE J. DIAMOND
4010 E. 26th st.
Los Angeles
CA
90023
US
|
Family ID: |
32397004 |
Appl. No.: |
10/677745 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60415733 |
Oct 2, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 11/1833
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/006 |
International
Class: |
B65D 006/16 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A collapsible container comprises: a base member; an end wall
pivotably attached to the base member by a hinge mechanism for
allowing the end wall to pivotably move between a folded position
and an upright position, the end wall having lateral edges with
latch members formed therein; and a pair of opposed side walls each
pivotably attached to the base member by a hinge mechanism for
allowing the side walls to pivotably move between a folded position
and an upright position, wherein each of the side walls includes an
upper surface which is substantially beveled along its length, and
a rear flanged portion having a latch receiver formed therein for
receiving a respective latch member and for securing the container
in an assembled position.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application Serial No. 60/415,733 filed Oct. 2, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to a collapsible container formed of
plastic.
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] Collapsible containers may be formed of various materials.
Many materials presently used, such as paperboard or cardboard, are
typically one-piece die-cut members having multiple fold lines by
which the container panels are folded. While such containers may be
functional, the fold lines may not provide the strength or the
durability required for certain applications. Moreover, many of
these designs have panels which fold outwardly when not assembled,
thereby requiring a larger surface area for storage when not in
use. Further, such containers may be used in a display setting,
such as in a grocery store. However, present collapsible containers
may not provide the retail visibility into a container that may be
desired by the manufacturers of the goods stored in the
container.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a collapsible container
which is strong, has great durability, is compact when not in use,
folds easily, and which provides visibility into the container for
display purposes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object according to the present invention to
provide a collapsible container which is strong, durable, portable,
folds in a compact manner when not in use, and provides for
visibility into the container for display purpose.
[0008] In keeping with the above objects, provided is a collapsible
container having a base member and an end wall pivotably attached
to the base member by a hinge mechanism for allowing the end wall
to pivotably move between a folded position and an upright
position. The end wall has lateral edges with latch members formed
therein. Also included is a pair of opposed side walls each
pivotably attached to the base member by a hinge mechanism for
allowing the side walls to pivotably move between a folded position
and an upright position. Each of the side walls includes an upper
surface which is substantially beveled along its length, and a rear
flanged portion having a latch receiver formed therein for
receiving a respective latch member and for securing the container
in an assembled position.
[0009] The above objects and other objects, features, and
advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the
following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out
the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the collapsible container
according to the present invention oriented in the assembled
position; and
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1,
with one of the walls shown pivoted away from the upright
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a collapsible container 10 according to
the present invention. Container 10 is preferably formed of
injection molded plastic. Container 10 includes a base member 12, a
first pair of opposed side walls 14, 16 and an end wall 18. Walls
14, 16 and 18 are each pivotably attached to base member 12 by way
of hinge mechanisms 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the hinge mechanisms 20
allow the walls to fold inwardly and rest upon base member 12 to
provide for compact and efficient storage when not in use. The
hinge mechanisms 20 allow the collapsible nature of the container
to be durable and long lasting. The hinge mechanisms 20 illustrated
herein provide for pivotal movement between the walls 14, 16, 18
and the base member 12, and may be one of various hinge designs
known in the art that allows a separately folded wall member to
pivotably attach to a separately formed base member 12. The hinge
mechanism 20 includes a first hinge portion 28 extending downwardly
from the walls 14,16, 18, which is received by a hinge receiver 30
disposed along the periphery of base 12.
[0013] Moreover, it is noted that the end walls 14,16 according to
the present invention has an upper surface 22 which is beveled thus
providing for visibility into the container 10, which is
particularly helpful when the container is used in a retail
setting, and when one desires to view the contents stored therein,
such as jars and cans having labels. The angle of the end wall
upper surface shown herein is approximately 4520 , but may of
course have any one of various ranges of angles, such as
30.degree.-60.degree., for providing the desired visibility.
[0014] The container also includes a latch system 24 whereby end
wall 18 has a latch member 26 which is received within the latch
receiver 28 of the side walls 14,16 for securely holding the
container walls together when in an assembled position as in FIG.
1. Of course, the container may use any number of latch mechanisms
known in the art. The latch system 24 is of the knock-down type,
which is typically released from the latched position by applying
force to end wall 18 sufficient to release the latch member 26 from
the latch receiver 28, such that the wall will inwardly fold.
[0015] When desired, the container may be folded when not in use.
If it is desired to transport the container having goods stored
therein, the container may be strapped or otherwise secured so that
the goods do not become separated from the container.
[0016] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and
described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and
describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words
used in the specification are words of description rather than
limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *