U.S. patent application number 12/136401 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-10 for collapsible containers.
This patent application is currently assigned to You Crate LLC. Invention is credited to Greg Bronner, Ralph L. Roberts, II, Roby L. Roberts, Ralph L. Roberts, SR..
Application Number | 20090302046 12/136401 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41399356 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090302046 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Roberts, SR.; Ralph L. ; et
al. |
December 10, 2009 |
Collapsible Containers
Abstract
Collapsible containers dimensioned to integrate into
less-than-load operations are provided. The container may include a
base, a pair of first and second opposing walls, each first and
second opposing wall including a top edge, two side edges and a
bottom edge. The container further includes a top panel removably
attached to the top edge of the pairs of first and second opposing
walls and a plurality of engaging devices positioned along the
perimeter of the base and along the two side edges and bottom edge
of the pairs of first and second opposing walls. The plurality of
engaging devices are configured to removably connect the pair of
first opposing walls to the pair of second opposing walls and to
removably connect the pairs of first and second opposing walls to
the base.
Inventors: |
Roberts, SR.; Ralph L.;
(Reddick, FL) ; Roberts, II; Ralph L.;
(Wilmington, OH) ; Roberts; Roby L.; (Captiva,
FL) ; Bronner; Greg; (Sabina, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DINSMORE & SHOHL LLP
1900 CHEMED CENTER, 255 EAST FIFTH STREET
CINCINNATI
OH
45202
US
|
Assignee: |
You Crate LLC
Wilmington
OH
|
Family ID: |
41399356 |
Appl. No.: |
12/136401 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/666 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2519/00651
20130101; B65D 2519/00273 20130101; B65D 2519/0099 20130101; B65D
2519/00034 20130101; B65D 2519/00567 20130101; B65D 2519/00338
20130101; B65D 2519/00288 20130101; B65D 2519/00791 20130101; B65D
2519/00293 20130101; B65D 2519/00497 20130101; B65D 2519/00208
20130101; B65D 19/18 20130101; B65D 2519/00174 20130101; B65D
2519/00597 20130101; B65D 2519/00069 20130101; B65D 2519/00711
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/666 |
International
Class: |
B65D 6/00 20060101
B65D006/00 |
Claims
1. A collapsible container comprising: a base; a pair of first
opposing walls, each first opposing wall comprising a top edge, two
side edges and a bottom edge; a pair of second opposing walls, each
second opposing wall comprising a top edge, two side edges and a
bottom edge; a top panel removably attached to the top edge of the
pairs of first and second opposing walls; and a plurality of
engaging devices positioned along the perimeter of the base and
along the two side edges and bottom edge of the pairs of first and
second opposing walls; wherein: the plurality of engaging devices
are configured to removably connect the pair of first opposing
walls to the pair of second opposing walls and to removably connect
the pairs of first and second opposing walls to the base; and the
collapsible container is dimensioned to integrate into less than
truck load operations.
2. A collapsible container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
plurality of engaging devices comprise a plurality of male
fastening components and a plurality of female fastening
components, the plurality of female fastening components configured
to accept the plurality of male fastening components.
3. A collapsible container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
plurality of engaging devices comprise a plurality of engaging tabs
and a plurality of slots configured to accept the engaging
tabs.
4. A collapsible container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
plurality of engaging devices comprise: a plurality of engaging
hooks positioned outwardly along the two side edges of the pair of
first opposing walls; a plurality of engaging tabs positioned
outwardly along the bottom edge of the pairs of first and second
opposing walls; and a plurality of slots positioned along the two
side edges of the pair of second opposing walls and the perimeter
of the base, the slots configured to accept the engaging hooks and
the engaging tabs.
5. A collapsible container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base
further comprises a plurality of support blocks spaced along the
underside of the base such that a forklift may be used to lift the
collapsible container.
6. A collapsible container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pairs
of first and second opposing walls comprise an exterior face having
a graphic.
7. A collapsible container as claimed in claim 6 wherein the
graphic depicts an outdoor scene, a playhouse, a building or a
shed.
8. A collapsible container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
collapsible container is dimensioned to fit in curtain side
linehaul trailers and trailers with overhead roll-up doors.
9. A collapsible container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base,
the pairs of first and second opposing walls and the top panel are
made of a plastic material.
10. A collapsible container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
collapsible container further comprises a tarp.
11. A collapsible container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
collapsible container further comprises at least one freight
securing mechanism configured to secure items within the
collapsible container to the base.
12. A collapsible container as claimed in claim 11 wherein the
freight securing mechanism comprises a tie down positioned on an
interior face of the base.
13. A collapsible container as claimed in claim 11 wherein the
freight securing mechanism comprises a latch positioned on an
interior face of the base.
14. A collapsible container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base,
the pairs of first and second opposing walls, and the top panel are
configured to be disassembled and stacked to minimize storage space
of the collapsible container.
15. A collapsible container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the top
panel further comprises at least one vertical lip along the
perimeter of an interior face of the top panel such that the
vertical lip secures the top panel to the pairs of first and second
opposing walls.
16. A collapsible container as claimed in claim 15 wherein the top
panel further comprises a first section, a second section and a
third section.
17. A collapsible container comprising: a pair of first opposing
walls, each first opposing wall comprising: a top edge; a bottom
edge comprising a plurality of bottom male fastening components;
and two side edges comprising a plurality of side male fastening
components; a pair of second opposing walls, each second opposing
wall comprising: a top edge; a bottom edge comprising a plurality
of bottom male fastening components; and two side edges comprising
a plurality of side female fastening components configured to
accept the plurality of side male fastening components; a base
comprising a plurality of base female fastening components along a
perimeter of the base, the plurality of base female fastening
components configured to accept the plurality of bottom male
fastening components of the pairs of first and second opposing
walls; and a top panel configured to removably attach to the top
edge of the pairs of first and second opposing walls; wherein when
the collapsible container is in an erected position, the
collapsible container is a receptacle dimensioned to integrate into
less than truck load operations.
18. A collapsible container as claimed in claim 17 wherein the
base, the pairs of first and second opposing walls, and the top
panel are configured to be stacked when the collapsible container
is in a collapsed position.
19. A collapsible container comprising: a pair of first opposing
walls, each first opposing wall comprising: a plurality of engaging
hooks positioned outwardly along two opposing edges; a plurality of
first engaging tabs positioned outwardly along an edge adjacent to
the two opposing edges; a substantially flat edge; and an exterior
face comprising a graphic; a pair of second opposing walls, each
second opposing wall comprising: a plurality of slots positioned
along two opposing edges configured to accept the plurality of
engaging hooks of the pair of first opposing walls; a plurality of
second engaging tabs positioned outwardly along an edge adjacent to
the two opposing edges; a substantially flat edge; and an exterior
face comprising a graphic; a base comprising a plurality of base
slots that are sized and positioned to accept the first and second
engaging tabs of the respective pairs of first and second opposing
walls to form a receptacle; and a top panel configured to removably
attach to the substantially flat edge of the pairs of first and
second opposing walls; wherein the collapsible container is
dimensioned to integrate into less than truck load operations.
20. A collapsible container as claimed in claim 19 wherein in the
length of the first engaging tabs is different than the length of
the second engaging tabs.
21. A collapsible container as claimed in claim 19 wherein the
collapsible container further comprises a plurality of freight
securing mechanisms.
22. A collapsible container as claimed in claim 21 wherein the
plurality of freight securing mechanisms comprise tie downs
positioned on an interior face of the base, the pairs of first and
second opposing walls and the top panel.
23. A collapsible container as claimed in claim 21 wherein the
plurality of freight securing mechanisms comprise latches
positioned on an interior face of the base, the first and second
pair of opposing walls and the top panel.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to shipping and
storage containers and methods, and in particular, embodiments
relate to collapsible containers that may be integrated into a
motor carrier's current less than load operations without any
additional equipment or disruption of service.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Containers are utilized by industry and consumers to ship
freight from one location to another. Containers are also commonly
used to store items for a length of time. Conventional containers,
although effective when full of freight, become a source of lost
revenue for a motor carrier when the container is empty because the
space taken up by the empty container could be used by a full
container or other freight. Similarly, in the case of residential
or commercial use, an empty container undesirably takes up a great
deal of space in a residential or commercial user's basement,
attic, storage space, warehouse or other similar location. A user
may desire to keep an empty container in his or her possession for
future use but for the undesirable space the empty container
requires.
[0003] Conventional containers are also difficult for a commercial
or residential user to load and unload. The top-loading of a
shipping container can be a harrowing experience, especially when
the item to be shipped or stored is being loaded into a tall
container. For example, the article may be accidentally dropped
while it is being loaded into the container from the top.
Additionally, articles positioned at the bottom of a full
top-loaded container may be difficult, if not impossible, to locate
or remove if the need arises.
[0004] Additionally, conventional containers are not easily
integrated into a motor carrier's current less than load ("LTL")
operations. LTL freight, unlike full truckload freight, is
collected from various shippers and consolidated onto a trailer.
Non-uniformity of conventional container dimensions create
inefficiencies in LTL linehaul operations by causing large gaps of
dead space in between freight and containers. Similarly,
conventional shipping containers are not dimensioned to fit in
trailers with overhead, roll-up doors.
[0005] Accordingly, a shipping and storing container that takes up
minimum space when empty, is easily loaded and unloaded, and
integrates into LTL operations is desired.
SUMMARY
[0006] According to one embodiment, a collapsible container is
provided. The collapsible container includes a base, a pair of
first opposing walls, each first opposing wall comprising a top
edge, two side edges and a bottom edge, a pair of second opposing
walls, each second opposing wall comprising a top edge, two side
edges and a bottom edge, a top panel removably attached to the top
edge of the pairs of first and second opposing walls and a
plurality of engaging devices positioned along the perimeter of the
base and along the two side edges and bottom edge of the pairs of
first and second opposing walls. The plurality of engaging devices
are configured to removably connect the pair of first opposing
walls to the pair of second opposing walls and to removably connect
the pairs of first and second opposing walls to the base. Further,
the collapsible container is dimensioned to integrate into less
than truck load operations.
[0007] According to another embodiment, a collapsible container is
provided. The collapsible container includes a pair of first
opposing walls, each first opposing wall including a top edge, a
bottom edge comprising a plurality of bottom male fastening
components, and two side edges including a plurality of side male
fastening components. The collapsible container also includes a
pair of second opposing walls, each second opposing wall including
a top edge, a bottom edge comprising a plurality of bottom male
fastening components, and two side edges comprising a plurality of
side female fastening components configured to accept the plurality
of side male fastening components. A base including a plurality of
base female fastening components along a perimeter of the base, the
plurality of base female fastening components configured to accept
the plurality of bottom male fastening components of the pairs of
first and second opposing walls and a top panel configured to
removably attach to the top edge of the pairs of first and second
opposing walls are also included. When the collapsible container is
in an erected position, the collapsible container is a receptacle
dimensioned to integrate into less than truck load operations.
[0008] According to yet another embodiment, a collapsible container
includes a pair of first opposing walls, each first opposing wall
including a plurality of engaging hooks positioned outwardly along
two opposing edges, a plurality of first engaging tabs positioned
outwardly along an edge adjacent to the two opposing edges, a
substantially flat edge and an exterior face comprising a graphic.
The collapsible container also includes a pair of second opposing
walls, each second opposing wall including a plurality of slots
positioned along two opposing edges configured to accept the
plurality of engaging hooks of the pair of first opposing walls, a
plurality of second engaging tabs positioned outwardly along an
edge adjacent to the two opposing edges, a substantially flat edge,
and an exterior face comprising a graphic. The collapsible
container also includes a base comprising a plurality of base slots
that are sized and positioned to accept the first and second
engaging tabs of the respective pairs of first and second opposing
walls to form a receptacle and a top panel configured to removably
attach to the substantially flat edge of the pairs of first and
second opposing walls. The collapsible container is dimensioned to
integrate into less than truck load operations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The following detailed description will be more fully
understood in view of the drawings in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible container with
one side removed according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a collapsible container
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3A is a front view of a first and second opposing wall
of a collapsible container according to one or more embodiments of
the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3B is a top view of a base and a bottom view of a top
panel of a collapsible container according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4A is a front view of a first and second opposing wall
of a collapsible container according to one or more embodiments of
the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 4B is a top view of a base of a collapsible container
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 4C is a bottom view of a top panel of a collapsible
container according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 4D is a side view of a top panel of a collapsible
container according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a first opposing wall being
inserted into a base of a collapsible container according to one or
more embodiments of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a second opposing wall
being inserted into a base of a collapsible container according to
one or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 5C is a close up perspective view of a collapsible
container according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 5D is a front view of a collapsible container covered
with a tarp according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
[0022] The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative
in nature and are not intended to be limiting of the invention
defined by the claims. Moreover, individual features of the
drawings and the invention will be more fully apparent and
understood in view of the detailed description.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0023] In one embodiment, a collapsible storage and shipping
container is provided. According to the embodiment, the container
may be used for both commercial and residential shipping and
storing applications. The container, which may be made of a plastic
material such as natural HDPE, for example, is designed and
dimensioned to allow a motor carrier to integrate pickup and
delivery of the container into the motor carrier's current less
than load (LTL) operations without any additional equipment or
disruption of service. For example, according to some embodiments,
the container may be loaded and unloaded at a dock or with a
liftgate on the trailer so the user or carrier is not required to
provide equipment such as a forklift or flatbed trailer. As
described herein below, embodiments are dimensioned such that they
are easily integrated current LTL operations. Dimensioning of the
containers ensures that space is not wasted within the trailer by
minimizing gaps caused by oddly-dimensioned freight and containers.
According to some embodiments, the container will fit in all
linehaul trailers, including, as an example and not a limitation,
curtain side linehaul trailers, trailers with overhead roll-up
doors and other types of linehaul trailers. Embodiments are also
dimensioned to allow the shipping and storage of oversized items,
such as couches, other large furniture, machines or equipment. The
container may be custom-sized to suit the user's shipping and
storage needs.
[0024] The container is fully collapsible to provide efficient
storage and/or transport of the container when the container is
empty, as well as provide increased loading and unloading
flexibility for the user. According to some embodiments, engaging
tabs and hooks are configured to be inserted into mating slots for
easy assembly and collapsibility of the container. The container of
this embodiment may be assembled and disassembled without the use
of, or need for, tools. Because the container is collapsible, it
may be collapsed during transport when the container is empty,
thereby decreasing the required volume of the container within the
linehaul trailer. This significantly increases the load capacity of
the trailer, which frees up the motor carrier to load the trailer
with more freight. Likewise, the user may collapse the container
when he or she is not presently using the container, thereby taking
up less space within the storage area. The collapsibility also
allows for increased loading and unloading flexibility. As an
example, the freight to be loaded into the container for shipping
and/or storage may be placed on the base of the container before
the attachment of the sides and top panel. A user may choose to
remove just the top panel of the container when unloading an item
from the container, or he or she may additionally remove one or
more sides to unload items that are difficult to access from the
container.
[0025] Embodiments may also comprise additional features. Freight
securing mechanisms may be provided on the interior surface of the
base according to some embodiments. The freight securing mechanisms
allow freight to be tied down or secured to the base of the
container, thus preventing damage to the freight during transport.
Other embodiments may also include a tarp that covers the container
for all-weather protection when the container is subject to the
elements. Because conventional containers may be unsightly,
residential and commercial users may be reluctant to store items in
a container in the exterior of their home or place of business
where the container may be seen from the road, sidewalk or other
public vantage point. However, exterior storage may be desirable
where the user does not have adequate interior storage space, does
not wish the store the item indoors, or for other reasons.
Therefore, according to some embodiments, the exterior of the
container may comprise an aesthetically pleasing design. As an
example and not a limitation, the design may include a playhouse,
club house, fence, landscape scene, or any other pleasing design to
disguise the container.
[0026] As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, a
collapsible shipping and storage container 10 is provided. The
embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is of a square geometry
(e.g., 48''.times.48''.times.48'' among others). As described and
illustrated herein, other geometries and sizes that integrate into
LTL operations are also provided. The container comprises a base
16, a pair of first opposing walls 12, a pair of second opposing
walls 12 and a top panel 18 that are configured to easily attach to
one another to form the collapsible container 10 without the use of
tools. The base 16 and the opposing walls 12, 14 comprise engaging
devices that are configured to interlock the base 16 and the
opposing walls 12, 14 to each other.
[0027] According to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the engaging
devices comprise a plurality of male fastening components (e.g.,
20, 24 and 26) and a plurality of female fastening components
(e.g., 21, 25 and 27). More particularly, the male fastening
components may include a plurality of engaging hooks 20 (e.g.,
three on each side of the first opposing walls 12 in this
embodiment) and engaging tabs 24, 26, and the female fastening
components may comprise a plurality of slots 21, 25, 27. The
engaging hooks 20 of the illustrated embodiment are located along
two opposing sides of the pair of first opposing walls 12. It is
contemplated that the engaging hooks 20 may also be provided along
two sides of the pair of second opposing walls 14. The engaging
hooks 20 are configured to be inserted and secured to matching
slots 21 provided along two opposing sides of the pair of second
opposing walls 14. Other engaging device configurations are also
possible. More specifically, rather than an fastening hook, an
engaging tab with a hole or a notch configured for the insertion of
a locking pin to fasten the walls together may also be
employed.
[0028] The slots 25, 27 located on the base 16 are configured to
accept the corresponding engaging tabs 24, 26 of the pairs of first
and second of opposing walls 12, 14 (i.e., slot 25 is configured to
accept engaging tab 24 and slot 27 is configured to accept engaging
tab 26). The slots 25, 27 and engaging tabs 24, 26 are dimensioned
such that the pairs of first and second opposing walls 12, 14 may
only be inserted in the correct position on the base. For example,
slot 25 and engaging tab 24 may be of a length that is longer than
slot 27 and engaging tab 26 or visa versa. Similarly, slot 25 and
engaging tab 24 may be of a width that is wider than slot 27 and
engaging tab 26 or visa versa. As is shown in FIG. 5A, the base 16
comprises support blocks 30 that provide additional support for the
container, as well as depth for the slots 25, 27 to accept the
engaging tabs 24, 26. The depth of the slots 25, 27 increases the
strength and rigidity of the container.
[0029] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 16 may contain
support blocks 30 as described above. The support blocks 30 form
gaps within the base 16 in which a forklift or other transporting
device may be inserted to move the container 10 to a specific
location. The support blocks 30 also ensure that the container 10
is sufficiently raised from the ground to prevent water from
entering the container 10. According to some embodiments, freight
securing mechanisms 28 may be provided throughout the floor of the
base 16. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the freight securing mechanism 28 are
positioned along the perimeter of the floor of the base 16. The
freight securing mechanism 28 may be used to secure freight to the
base and therefore container 10 by running a strap, bungee cord,
rope, twine or other similar device under the latch or ring of the
freight securing mechanism 28 and around the freight (FIG. 5A).
Many other freight securing mechanism configurations are
possible.
[0030] Additional embodiments may comprise handles 22 that are
located on each wall of the container 22. These handles 22 may be
attached to the opposing walls 12, 14. Or, according to other
embodiments and as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the handles 22 may
be recesses that are formed into the plastic during the molding or
formation of the opposing walls 12, 14. The handles 22 may be used
to lift and carry the container 10 from one location or another.
The handles 22 also aid in erecting and collapsing the container
10, as well as assist in carrying and moving the opposing walls 12,
14.
[0031] The top panel 18 of the container 10 is dimensioned such
that there is an overhang above each opposing wall 12, 14. Under
each overhang (i.e., around the perimeter of the underside of the
top panel 18) is a vertical lip 29 that enfolds the walls 12, 14
when the container 10 is assembled, as may be viewed in the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. The vertical lip 29 therefore
secures the top panel 18 to the top portions of the walls 12, 14
and ultimately, the container 10.
[0032] As described above, the container 10 may be designed and
dimensioned in a number of sizes that allow the container 10 to be
integrated into LTL operations. FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an
embodiment that is dimensioned as a rectangular container that is
taller than the square embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 (e.g.,
48''.times.48''.times.75''). As an example, this embodiment may be
useful for storing and/or transporting a refrigerator or other tall
items. According to the embodiment of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the opposing
side walls 12, 14 have four engaging hooks 20 and slots 21 along
each side. FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate an embodiment in which the
container 10 has a geometry suitable for storing and transporting
large, oversized items (e.g., 48''.times.90''.times.55''). For
example, this embodiment may be utilized to transport bicycles,
four-wheelers, dressers, and other relatively long items. The
engaging tabs 24a (FIG. 4A) and slots 25a are relatively longer
than the engaging tabs 24 and slots 25 provided in the embodiments
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIGS. 3A and 3B. The increased
length of the engaging tabs 24a and slots 25a increase the
stability of the container 10. Referring to FIG. 4C, the top of the
container 10 is composed of three top panel sections 18a, 18b, and
18c. The three section embodiment allows for easy access to the
container 10 as only a small section needs to be removed to access
items within the container 10. Additionally, the three sections
18a-18c are easy for a single person to install and remove as the
pieces are smaller and lighter than one large top panel. According
to the embodiment, an interior engaging lip 29b may be provided in
addition to an exterior engaging lip 29a along portions of the
three sections 18a-18c to increase the stability of the container
10. Some embodiments comprising the three top sections 18a-18c may
employ a notch fit to assemble the top 18 onto the top of the
container 10. As illustrated in FIG. 4D, 18b may comprise notch 52
which is configured to rest upon corresponding notches 50 located
on 18a and 18b. In this manner, all three sections 18a-18c may be
securely attached to first and second opposing walls 12, 14.
[0033] FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate a method of erecting a collapsible
container 10 according to one embodiment. Referring initially to
FIG. 5A, the base 16 is placed on level surface. Freight may be
placed on the base 16 at this time, or any other time in the
assembly process. Next, a first opposing wall 12 (i.e., a wall
having male engaging structures 20) may be lifted by the handles 22
(not shown) so that the engaging tabs 24 are aligned with the
engaging slots 25. The wall 12 and engaging tabs 24 are then pushed
down into the engaging slots 25. This is repeated for the other
second opposing wall 12.
[0034] Now referring to FIG. 5B, a second opposing wall 14 (i.e., a
wall having female engaging structures) may be lifted over the base
16 such that the engaging tabs 26 are aligned with the slots 27 on
the base 16, and the engaging hooks 20 of the pair of first
opposing walls 12 are aligned with the slots 21 of the second
opposing wall 14. After positioning the second opposing wall 14
into place, the wall 14 is then pushed down so that the engaging
tabs 26 enter the slots 27 and the engaging hooks 20 of wall 12
grip and secure the wall 14. This is repeated for the remaining
second opposing wall 14 having slots 21 such that all four opposing
walls 12, 14 are fitted and locked together to the base 16.
[0035] After the opposing walls 12, 14 are in place and the freight
has been loaded, the top panel 18 may be placed on the top portion
of the opposing walls 12, 14 and fit into place, as illustrated in
FIG. 5C. The vertical lip 29 secures the top panel 18 to the
opposing walls 12, 14. The container 10 is now fully assembled and
ready for storage and/or transport. According to some embodiments,
a tarp 40 may be fitted over the container to protect the container
10 from the elements, including wind, rain, frost, snow and sun,
for example (FIG. 5D). The tarp 40 may be secured to the container
10 by flaps 42. The flaps 42 may be secured by attachments 44a, 44b
which may be Velcro, or a loop in which a hook or a clip may use to
engage attachment 44a to attachment 44b, for example. The container
10 may be collapsed by removing the top panel 18, then removing the
pair of second opposing walls 14 and finally the pair of first
opposing walls 12. The base 16, opposing walls 12, 14 and top panel
18 may then be stacked into a compact form for later use.
[0036] The foregoing description of the various embodiments of the
invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed. Many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Moreover, although
multiple inventive aspects have been presented, such aspects need
not be utilized in combination, and various combinations of
inventive aspects are possible in light of the various embodiments
provided above. Accordingly, the above description is intended to
embrace all possible alternatives, modifications, combinations, and
variations that have been discussed or suggested herein, as well as
all others that fall with the principles, spirit and broad scope of
the inventions as defined by the claims.
* * * * *