U.S. patent application number 11/687169 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-23 for container.
Invention is credited to William P. Apps, Mauricio D. Cavalcante.
Application Number | 20070194023 11/687169 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37546169 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070194023 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Apps; William P. ; et
al. |
August 23, 2007 |
CONTAINER
Abstract
A collapsible container includes a plurality of walls
collapsible onto the base. At least one wall has a support for
supporting a second container thereon. The support is pivotably
mounted to or integrally formed with an upper end portion of at
least one wall. The pivotably mounted support includes a support
structure that is pivotable between a support position where it is
partially supported on an adjacent wall and a retracted position.
In the retracted position, the wall can be pivoted downward onto
the base, with a portion of the support passing through a channel
formed on the interior of the adjacent wall. The integrally formed
support includes a support structure that is at least partially
received within a support channel formed in the base when the
container is in the collapsed position.
Inventors: |
Apps; William P.;
(Alpharetta, GA) ; Cavalcante; Mauricio D.; (Playa
Del Ray, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARLSON, GASKEY & OLDS, P.C.
400 WEST MAPLE ROAD
SUITE 350
BIRMINGHAM
MI
48009
US
|
Family ID: |
37546169 |
Appl. No.: |
11/687169 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11264371 |
Nov 1, 2005 |
|
|
|
11687169 |
Mar 16, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/6 ;
220/600 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 21/062 20130101;
B65D 11/1833 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/006 ;
220/600 |
International
Class: |
B65D 6/00 20060101
B65D006/00; B65D 6/28 20060101 B65D006/28 |
Claims
1. A container comprising: a base having opposed long edges and
opposed short edges; a first wall pivotably mounted to one of the
edges of the base, wherein the first wall is pivotable between an
upright position and a collapsed position; and a support extending
from the first wall, the support including a support structure
positioned inward of the first wall.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the support is pivotable about
an axis generally parallel to the base, the support pivotable
between a support position and a retracted position.
3. The container of claim 2, further including a hinge pivotably
connecting the support to the first wall.
4. The container of claim 2, wherein the support includes a
locating feature projecting upwardly from the support when the
support is in the support position.
5. The container of claim 2, wherein the support is pivotably and
slidably mounted to the first wall.
6. The container of claim 2, wherein the support is a flap
pivotable between the retracted position generally parallel to the
first wall and the support position generally transverse to the
first wall.
7. The container of claim 2, further including an adjacent wall
adjacent the first wall, the support supported by the first wall
and the adjacent wall in the support position.
8. The container of claim 7, wherein the support is a flap having a
lower end pivotably attached to an upper portion of the first wall,
wherein the support is pivotable between the retracted position
generally parallel to the first wall and the support position
generally transverse to the first wall.
9. The container of claim 8, wherein the first wall and the support
are collapsible onto the base when the support is in the retracted
position.
10. The container of claim 9, wherein the support includes a
laterally-extending tab, the tab contacting the adjacent wall to
support the support in the support position.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein the adjacent wall includes a
channel on an interior surface thereof, the tab passing through the
channel as the first wall and the support are pivoted relative to
the base to a collapsed position on the base.
12. The container of claim 11, wherein the channel is an upper
channel through an upper frame portion, the interior surface of the
adjacent wall further including a lower channel through a lower
frame portion and a recess between the upper frame portion and the
lower frame portion, the tab passing through the upper channel, the
recess and the lower channel as the first wall and the support are
pivoted relative to the base to a collapsed position on the
base.
13. The container of claim 5, wherein the support includes a stop
member contacting the first wall and limiting pivoting motion of
the support relative to the first wall when the support is in the
retracted position.
14. The container of claim 5, wherein the support extends upward
from an upper edge of the first wall when the support is in the
retracted position.
15. The container of claim 1, wherein the support is formed
integrally with an upper end portion of the first wall.
16. The container of claim 15, wherein the support structure
extends inward from the first wall.
17. The container of claim 16, wherein the support structure is
located a distance below an upper edge of the upper end portion of
the first wall.
18. The container of claim 17, wherein the support structure is
substantially parallel to the base when the first wall is in the
upright position.
19. The container of claim 18, wherein base further includes at
least one support channel formed therein for receiving at least a
portion of the support structure when the first wall is in the
collapsed position.
20. The container of claim 19, wherein the second wall of the
container includes at least one channel formed therein for
receiving at least a portion of a support structure of a second
container in a collapsed position stacked thereon.
21. A container comprising: a base; a first wall mounted to the
base and movable between an upright position and a collapsed
position; a second wall adjacent the first wall and movable between
an upright position and a collapsed position on top of the first
wall; and a flap mounted to an upper end portion of the first
wall.
22. The container of claim 21, wherein the flap is moveable between
a first position supported on the second wall and a second position
extending upwardly from an upper edge of the first wall.
23. The container of claim 22, wherein the flap and the first wall
are movable to the collapsed position when the flap is in the
second position.
24. The container of claim 23, wherein the flap is generally
parallel to the first wall when the flap is in the second
position.
25. The container of claim 21, wherein the flap is formed
integrally with an upper edge of the first wall.
26. The container of claim 21, wherein the base further includes at
least one support channel formed therein for receiving at least a
portion of the support structure when the first wall is in the
collapsed position.
27. The container of claim 26, wherein the second wall of the
container includes at least one channel formed therein for
receiving at least a portion of a support structure of a second
container in a collapsed position stacked thereon.
28. A container comprising: a base; a first wall mounted to the
base and movable between an upright position and a collapsed
position; a second wall adjacent the first wall and movable between
an upright position and a collapsed position, the second wall
including a channel on a surface thereof, and a support mounted to
an upper end portion of the first wall and including a
laterally-extending portion.
29. The container of claim 28, wherein channel is formed in an
interior surface and the support is movable between a first
position where the laterally-extending portion is supported on the
second wall and a second position where the laterally-extending
portion of the flap can pass through the channel of the second wall
as the first wall is pivoted to the collapsed position.
30. The container of claim 29, wherein the support is slidable and
pivotable relative to first wall.
31. The container of claim 30, wherein the support is at least
partially retractable into the first wall.
32. The container of claim 30, wherein the support is at least
partially retractable into the first wall.
33. The container of claim 28, wherein the support is fixedly
mounted to the first wall.
34. The container of claim 33, wherein the laterally-extending
portion is located a distance below an upper edge of the upper end
portion of the first wall.
35. The container of claim 34, wherein the laterally-extending
portion is substantially parallel to the base when the first wall
is in the upright position.
36. The container of claim 35, wherein the base further includes at
least one support channel formed therein for receiving at least a
portion of the laterally-extending portion when the first wall is
in the collapsed position.
37. The container of claim 36, wherein the channel is formed in an
exterior surface of the second wall, the channel receiving at least
a portion of a support of a second container in a collapsed
position and stacked thereon.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/264,371, which was filed on Nov. 1,
2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to collapsible
crates and more particularly to a collapsible crate with support
members for supporting another container thereon.
[0003] Collapsible crates are well known. Four walls each connected
via a hinge to a base are selectively movable about the hinge
between a use position, in which the wall is generally
perpendicular to the base, and a collapsed position onto the base.
Various mechanisms have been provided to connect adjacent walls at
the corner to selectively lock the crate in the use position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides a collapsible container
having a plurality of walls collapsible onto the base. At least one
wall has a support mounted to an upper end portion thereof.
[0005] In one example embodiment, the support is pivotably mounted
to an upper end portion of the at least one wall. The support is
pivotable between a support position where it is partially
supported on an adjacent wall and a retracted position. In the
retracted position, the wall can be pivoted downward onto the base,
with a portion of the support passing through a channel formed on
the interior of the adjacent wall.
[0006] In another example, the support is integrally formed with
the upper portion of the at least one wall.
[0007] The supports may be formed on short end walls of the
container, such that the supports and end walls can be collapsed
onto the base and the long side walls can be pivoted onto the end
walls. In this manner, the supports are protected from damage
during shipping of the containers in the collapsed position. The
supports may also be formed on long side walls of the container,
such that the supports and side walls can be collapsed onto the
base and the short end walls can be pivoted onto the side
walls.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Other advantages of the present invention can be understood
by reference to the following detailed description when considered
in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to the
present invention, with the walls in the upright position and the
supports pivotable mounted in the support position.
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates the container of FIG. 1 with a second
container supported thereon.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an interior perspective view, partially broken
away, of the container of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG.
3.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG.
3.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, with the support
in the retracted position.
[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates the container of FIG. 6 with the wall
being pivoted toward the collapsed position.
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates the container of FIG. 6 with the wall in
the collapsed position.
[0017] FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view take along line 9-9 of
FIG. 6.
[0018] FIG. 10 illustrates the container of FIG. 8 with the side
wall collapsed onto the end wall.
[0019] FIG. 10A is an exterior perspective view of the container of
FIG. 1 showing a latch that could be used to connect adjacent
walls.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a container according to a
second embodiment of the present invention, with the walls in the
upright position and the supports in the support position.
[0021] FIG. 12 illustrates the container of FIG. 11 with a second
container supported thereon.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of one of the supports of FIG.
11.
[0023] FIG. 14 is an interior perspective view, partially broken
away, of the container of FIG. 11.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along lines 15-15 of FIG.
14.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a view similar to that of FIG. 14, with the
support in the vertical position.
[0026] FIG. 17 is a view similar to that of FIG. 16, with the
support in the fully retracted position.
[0027] FIG. 18 illustrates the container of FIG. 17 with the wall
being pivoted toward the collapsed position.
[0028] FIG. 19 illustrates the container of FIG. 17 with the wall
in the collapsed position.
[0029] FIG. 20 is a side view of the sectioned container of FIG.
19.
[0030] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a container according to a
third embodiment of the present invention, with the walls in the
upright position and the supports fixedly mounted.
[0031] FIG. 22 is a top view of an interior of the container of
FIG. 21.
[0032] FIG. 23 is a side view of the container of FIG. 21.
[0033] FIG. 24 is an end view of the container of FIG. 21.
[0034] FIG. 25 illustrates the container of FIG. 21 with a second
container supported thereon.
[0035] FIG. 26 is a sectional view taken along lines 26-26 of FIG.
23.
[0036] FIG. 27 illustrates the pair of containers of FIG. 25
including a cut-away view of the second container.
[0037] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a container according to
the third embodiment of the present invention, with the walls in
the collapsed position and the supports fixedly mounted.
[0038] FIG. 29 illustrates the collapsed container of FIG. 28 with
a second collapsed container supported thereon.
[0039] FIG. 30 is a sectional view taken along lines 30-30 of FIG.
29.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, a container 10 includes a base 12
having upstanding side walls 14 (or long walls) and upstanding end
walls 18 (or short walls). The side walls 14 and end walls 18 are
pivotably connected along long and short edges of the base 12,
respectively. The side walls 14 and end walls 18 are movable
between the upright position shown and a collapsed position on the
base 12.
[0041] Each end wall 18 has a support 20 (or flap) pivotably
mounted to an upper portion thereof. The supports 20 are shown in
FIG. 1 pivoted to a support position generally perpendicular to the
end walls 18 and projecting into the interior of the container 10.
In the support position, laterally-extending tabs 21 are supported
on the side walls 14.
[0042] The interiors of the side walls 14 each include an upper
frame portion 22 protruding into the container 10. A pair of curved
channels 24 is formed through each upper frame portion 22. The
interiors of the side walls 14 each further include a lower frame
portion 26 having a pair of channels 28 formed therethrough. A
recess 30 is defined between the upper frame portion 22 and the
lower frame portion 26. The base 12 includes a pair of side
upstanding portions 32 to which the side walls 14 are pivotably
attached. Each side upstanding portion 32 includes a pair of
channels 34 formed on an interior thereof. The channels 24, 28 and
34 are aligned with one another in a manner that will be explained
below. The base 12 further includes a pair of end upstanding
portions 36 to which the end walls 18 are pivotably attached.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 2, with the supports 20 in the support
position, another container 100 can be supported on the supports 20
of the container 10.
[0044] FIG. 3 is an interior perspective view, partially broken
away, of the container 10 of FIG. 1. The support 20 includes a stop
member 38, such as an elongated rib projecting outwardly from a
bottom edge of the support 20. The support 20 further includes an
interlocking feature 40, such as an elongated rib extending
upwardly from an upper edge of the support 20. As shown, the tab 21
of the support 20 is received in a recess 44 at the upper edge of
the side wall 14 when the support 20 is in the support position. As
can also be seen in FIG. 3, the tab 21 does not align with the
channels 24, 28 or 34 when the support 20 is in the support
position. The end wall 18 includes a handle 42 formed therein.
[0045] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.
The end wall 18 may be pivotably connected to the base 12 via a
hinge including a hinge member 48 integral with the end wall 18 and
a hinge pin 50 integral with the base 12.
[0046] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3.
The support 20 is pivotably connected to an upper portion of the
end wall 18 via a hinge including a hinge member 54 integrally
molded with the support 20 and a hinge pin 56 integrally molded
with the end wall 18.
[0047] FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, with the support
20 in the retracted position (i.e. retracted from the interior of
the container 10). In the retracted position, the support 20 is
pivoted upwardly until the stop member 38 abuts the upper edge of
the end wall 18, thereby preventing further movement. In the
retracted position, the support 20 does not project into the
interior of the container 10 and is generally parallel to the end
wall 18, extending upwardly from the upper edge of the end wall 18.
As can be seen in FIG. 6, the tab 21 includes a recess 58 on its
underside that receives a projection 60 adjacent the recess 44 in
the side wall 14 so that the tab 21 interlocks with the side wall
14.
[0048] FIG. 7 illustrates the container 10 of FIG. 6 with the end
wall 18 being pivoted toward the collapsed position. With the
support 20 in the retracted (upright) position, as the end wall 18
is pivoted downwardly, the tab 21 of the support 20 passes through
the channel 24 in the upper frame portion 22, through the recess
30, through the channel 28 in the lower frame portion 26 and
through the channel 34 in the side upstanding portion 32 of the
base 12. FIG. 8 illustrates the container 10 of FIG. 6 with the end
wall 18 in the collapsed position. The tab 21 of the support 20 is
received in the channel 34 in the side upstanding portion 32 of the
base 12. The end wall 18 and support 20 lie flush with the base 12.
The other end wall 18 (not shown) collapses similarly and the end
walls 18 do not overlap each other. The side walls 14 can then be
collapsed onto the end walls 18. The supports 20 are flush with the
end walls 18 and protected by the side walls 14.
[0049] FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view take along line 9-9 of
FIG. 6. As shown, the hinge member 54 of the support 20 includes a
projection 64 that interacts with a projection 66 on the end wall
18 to form a detent that retains the support 20 in the retracted,
upright position. The hinge member 54 extends into a cavity 70
formed at the upper inner edge of the end wall 18. The projection
66 is formed on a lower surface of the cavity 70. The stop member
38 of the support 20 abuts the upper edge of the end wall 18 to
prevent further rotation.
[0050] FIG. 10 illustrates the container 10 of FIG. 8 with the side
wall 14 collapsed onto the end wall 18. FIG. 10A is an exterior
perspective view of the container 10 showing a latch 72 that could
be used to connect adjacent walls 14, 18. Although for clarity they
have not been illustrated in the other Figures herein, it is known
that collapsible containers, such as the collapsible container 10
(and the collapsible container 110, below), have latches connecting
adjacent walls in the upright position. The latches can be manual
latches 72 as shown in FIG. 10A, or knock-down latches. The latch
72, or any other sort of latch, could also be used in the container
110 described below.
[0051] FIG. 11 illustrates a container 110 according to a second
embodiment of the present invention. The container 110 includes a
base 112 having upstanding side walls 114 (or long walls) and
upstanding end walls 118 (or short walls). The side walls 114 and
end walls 118 are pivotably connected along long and short edges of
the base 112, respectively. The side walls 114 and end walls 118
are movable between the upright position shown and a collapsed
position on the base 112.
[0052] Each end wall 118 has a support 20 pivotably mounted to an
upper portion thereof. The supports 120 are shown in FIG. 11
pivoted to a support position generally perpendicular to the end
walls 118 and projecting into the interior of the container 110.
Each support 120 includes an elongated rail 123 and a pair of arms
125 extending perpendicularly from the rail 123. In the support
position, laterally-extending ends 121 of the rail 123 are
supported on the side walls 114.
[0053] The interiors of the side walls 114 each include an upper
frame portion 122 protruding into the container 110. A pair of
curved channels 124 is formed through each upper frame portion 122.
The interiors of the side walls 114 each further include a lower
frame portion 126 having a pair of channels 128 formed
therethrough. A recess 130 is defined between the upper frame
portion 122 and the lower frame portion 126. The base 112 includes
a pair of side upstanding portions 132 to which the side walls 114
are pivotably attached. Each side upstanding portion 132 includes a
pair of channels 134 formed on an interior thereof. The channels
124, 128 and 134 are aligned with one another. The base 112 further
includes a pair of end upstanding portions 136 to which the end
walls 118 are pivotably attached.
[0054] FIG. 12 illustrates the container of FIG. 11 with the second
container 100 supported thereon.
[0055] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of one of the supports 120 of
FIG. 11. Each support 120 includes the elongated rail 123 and the
pair of arms 125 extending perpendicularly from the rail 123. A
slot 127 is formed on the underside of the rail 123 adjacent each
end 121. Each of the arms 125 includes an integral pivot pin 129 at
an end of the arm 125 opposite the rail 123. Each of the arms 125
includes a shoulder 131 spaced away from the rail 123.
[0056] FIG. 14 is an interior perspective view, partially broken
away, of the container 110 of FIG. 11. As shown, the end 121 of the
support 120 is received in a recess 144 at the upper edge of the
side wall 114 adjacent the channel 124 when the support 120 is in
the support position. The end 121 of the rail 123 does not align
with the channels 124, 128 or 134 when the support 120 is in the
support position. The end wall 118 includes a handle 142 formed
therein.
[0057] FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along lines 15-15 of FIG.
14. The end wall 118 may be pivotably connected to the base 112 via
a hinge including a hinge member 148 integral with the end wall 118
and a hinge pin 150 integral with the base 112.
[0058] FIG. 16 is a view similar to that of FIG. 14, with the
support 120 in the vertical position. In FIG. 16, the support 120
has been pivoted about pivot pin 129 from the support position
shown in FIG. 16 to the vertical position. The rail 123 is spaced
above an upper edge of the end wall 118, with the arm 125 fully
extended. The pivot pin 129 is pivotably and slidably connected to
a channel 170 in the end wall 118. An upwardly projecting rib 160
is adjacent the recess 144 in the upper edge of the side wall 114
for interlocking with the slot 127 in the end 121 of the rail
123.
[0059] FIG. 17 is a view similar to that of FIG. 16, with the
support 120 in the fully retracted position. The arm 125 is
inserted into the channel 170 in the end wall 118 until the
shoulder 131 abuts the upper edge of the end wall 118, leaving the
rail 123 and the end 121 of the rail 123 a known distance from the
upper edge of the end wall 118.
[0060] In this position, the end wall 118 can be pivoted to the
collapsed position as shown in FIG. 18. As the end wall 118 is
being pivoted toward the collapsed position, the end 121 of the
rail 123 passes through the channel 124, the recess 130, the
channel 128 and the channel 134 until the end wall 118 lies on the
base 112, as shown in FIG. 19. FIG. 20 is an enlarged sectional
view take along line 20-20 of FIG. 19.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 21, a container 210, according to a third
embodiment, includes a base 212 having upstanding side walls 214
(or long walls) and upstanding end walls 218 (or short walls). The
side walls 214 and end walls 218 are pivotably connected along long
and short edges of the base 212, respectively. The side walls 214
and end walls 218 are movable between the upright position as shown
and a collapsed position as shown in FIG. 28.
[0062] Each end wall 218 has a support 220 integrally molded to an
upper portion thereof. The supports 220 are fixed in a support
position generally perpendicular to the end walls 218 and include
support tabs 221, projecting into the interior of the container
210. The support tabs 221 extend substantially horizontally inward
from the end walls 218.
[0063] The interiors of the side walls 214 each include an upper
frame portion 222 and a lower frame portion 226 protruding into the
container 210. A pair of vertical channels 224 is formed on an
outer surface of each of the pair of side walls 214. A recess 230
is defined between the upper frame portion 222 and the lower frame
portion 226.
[0064] The base 212 includes a pair of side upstanding portions 232
to which the side walls 214 are pivotably attached. A pair of
support channels 228 is formed as a pair of openings through the
base 212. The base 212 further includes a pair of end upstanding
portions 236 to which the end walls 218 are pivotably attached.
[0065] FIG. 22 is a top view of an interior of the container 210,
which includes the base 212 having upstanding side walls 214 (or
long walls) and upstanding end walls 218 (or short walls) pivotably
connected along long and short edges of the base 212 respectively.
The side walls 214 and the end walls 218, which are moveable
between an upright position and a collapsed position (FIG. 28), are
shown the upright position.
[0066] Supports 220 are integrally molded along an upper edge of
each of the pair of end walls 218. Each of the supports 220
includes a support tab 221 that extends substantially horizontally
inward from each of the end walls 218, such that each support tab
221 is substantially perpendicular to each respective end wall 218.
In the upright position, the support tabs 221 provide structure to
support a second container 310 (FIG. 25) stacked thereon. It should
be appreciated, however, that each of the supports 220 including
the support tabs 221 could also be formed separate from the end
walls 218 and subsequently mounted to the end walls 218.
[0067] A pair of support channels 228, which are formed within the
base 212, extend from one of the side walls 214 to the other of the
side walls 214. The support channels 228 provide clearance for the
support tabs 221, when the container 210 is in the collapsed
position as shown in FIG. 28.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 23, the side wall 214 is pivotable about
an axis A-A from an upright position as shown to a collapsed
position as shown in FIG. 28. The axis A-A is located at an
intersection formed by the side upstanding portion 232 of the base
212 and the side wall 214.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 24, the end wall 218 is pivotable about an
axis B-B from an upright position as shown to a collapsed position
as shown in FIG. 28. The axis B-B is located at an intersection
formed by the end upstanding portion 236 of the base 212 and the
end wall 218.
[0070] FIG. 25 illustrates the container 210 of FIG. 21 with the
second container 100 supported thereon.
[0071] FIG. 26 is a sectional view taken along lines 26-26 of FIG.
25. The second container 100 includes a bottom 312, side walls 314
and end walls 318. A support lip 320 protrudes from an underside
322 of the bottom 312 of the second container 100 and extends
around a periphery of the underside 322.
[0072] As further illustrated in FIG. 27, the support lip 320
includes a support surface 324 that rests on the support tabs 221
of the container 210 to support the second container 310
thereon.
[0073] FIG. 28 illustrates the container 210 of FIG. 21 in the
collapsed position. End walls 218 are pivoted inward about axes A-A
and collapsed onto the base 212. Side walls 214 are pivoted inward
about axes B-B and collapsed substantially onto the end walls 218.
In the collapsed position, the end walls 218 define a first plane
substantially parallel to a base plane defined by the base 212.
Further, in the collapsed position, the side walls 214 define a
second plane substantially parallel to both the first plane and the
base plane. The first plane being a first distance D.sub.1 away
from the base plane and the second plane being a second distance
D.sub.2, greater than the first distance D.sub.1 , away from the
base plane.
[0074] FIG. 29 illustrates the collapsed container 210 of FIG. 28
with a second collapsed container 210' stacked thereon.
[0075] FIG. 30 is a sectional view taken along lines 30-30 of FIG.
29. The collapsed container 210 has the second collapsed container
210' stacked thereon. Each collapsed container 210, 210' includes a
base 212, 212' having support channels 224, 224' formed
therethrough. End walls 218, 218' including supports 220, 220' and
support tabs 221, 221' are collapsed onto each base 212, 212'. In
the collapsed position, the support tabs 221, 221' extend at least
partially through the support channels 224, 224' formed in the base
212, 212'.
[0076] Side walls 214, 214' are collapsed substantially onto the
collapsed end walls 218, 218'. The collapsed side walls 214, 214'
include channels 228, 228' formed therein.
[0077] In the collapsed position, the support tabs 221' of the
second collapsed container 210' extend at least partially through
the support channels 224' formed in the base 212' of the second
collapsed container 210'. Further, in the stacked configuration,
the support tabs 221' of the second container 210' extend through
the support channels 224' and are at least partially received
within the channels 228 formed in the collapsed side walls 214 of
the lower collapsed container 210.
[0078] 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. For
example, in any of the occurrences above, the hinge members and
hinge pins could be reversed and formed on opposite parts.
* * * * *