초록 ▼

Disclosed is a square knock-down bin with “L” shaped side elements so as to deploy on the base along portions to two adjacent base sides. Each of the side elements includes locking elements along each of its two ends. The locking-element at one of the ends is configured to interlock wi

Disclosed is a square knock-down bin with “L” shaped side elements so as to deploy on the base along portions to two adjacent base sides. Each of the side elements includes locking elements along each of its two ends. The locking-element at one of the ends is configured to interlock with the locking element of the adjacent side element to which it abuts. At least one of the side elements includes a displaceable locking-element along one of its two ends. The shape of the side elements is such that disassembled side elements from several bins will nest inside an assembled bin for storage and return shipping.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A square knock-down shipping bin comprising:(a) a substantially square base having four substantially equal length base sides;(b) four side elements having a first side portion and a second side portion that are perpendicular to each other meeting at a corner of the bin so as to define portions o

1. A square knock-down shipping bin comprising:(a) a substantially square base having four substantially equal length base sides;(b) four side elements having a first side portion and a second side portion that are perpendicular to each other meeting at a corner of the bin so as to define portions of two adjacent sides of the bin, said side elements being deployed so that said second side portion of one of said side elements is deployed along the same base side as, and substantially meets, said first side portion of an adjacent one of said side elements, thereby defining four vertical attachment portions configured for engagable locking of said first side portion and said second side portion meeting at said at least one attachment portion;wherein said first side portion and a second side portion, of each of said ones of said side elements, are each of a length less that a length of one of said base sides so as to allow nesting of disassembled ones of said side units within the storage volume of an assembled bin. 2. The bin of claim 1, wherein said at least one of said attachment portions includes a vertical post integrally formed with one of said side elements, said post having a substantially hollow vertical channel and a lateral opening into said channel, said at least one of said attachment portions also having a projection integrally formed with another of said side elements, said projection being configured to project through said lateral opening into said vertical channel of said post, a locking element being configured so as to be slidingly deployable within said vertical channel of said post between an unlocked position in which said projection can be inserted and removed from said lateral opening and a locked position in which said locking element engages said projection so as to lock said projection within said channel, thereby locking together said adjacent ones of said side elements. 3. The bin of claim 2, wherein said at least one of said attachment portion configured for engagable locking is implemented as four attachment portions configured for engagable locking deployable to lock together adjacent ones of said sides at each of said attachment portions. 4. The bin of claim 1, wherein said base, said side elements and said locking elements are all formed from polymer materials. 5. The bin of claim 1, further comprising a locking configuration for releasably securing together edges of at least part of two adjacent said side elements of the knock-down shipping bin, said locking configuration comprising:(a) a hollow vertical post integrally formed with a first of said adjacent side elements, said post having a vertical hollow channel and a lateral opening into said channel;(b) a projection integrally formed with another of said adjacent side elements, said projection being configured to project through said lateral opening into said vertical channel of said post; and(c) a locking element configured so as to be slidingly deployable within said vertical channel of said post between an unlocked position in which said projection can be inserted and removed from said lateral opening and a locked position in which said locking element engages said projection so as to lock said projection within said channel, thereby locking together the adjacent side elements. 6. The bin of claim 5, wherein said locking element includes a resilient tab, and wherein said post includes a first locating aperture positioned such that, when said locking element is in said unlocked position, said resilient tab engages said first locating aperture so as to retain said locking element in said unlocked position and within said channel so as not to become misplaced. 7. The bin of claim 6, wherein said locking element includes a resilient tab, and wherein said post includes a second locating aperture positioned such that, when said locking element is in said locked position, said resilient tab engages said second locating aperture so as to retain s aid locking element in said locked position.