초록 ▼

A collapsible container has a base having a lower hinge portion which includes a first lower hinge portion and a second lower hinge portion. The container also includes a plurality of upstanding side walls attached to the base having an upper hinge portion extending downwardly. The upper hinge port

A collapsible container has a base having a lower hinge portion which includes a first lower hinge portion and a second lower hinge portion. The container also includes a plurality of upstanding side walls attached to the base having an upper hinge portion extending downwardly. The upper hinge portion includes a first elongate upper hinge portion and a second elongate upper hinge portion. The first lower hinge portion includes a first opening for receiving the first elongate upper hinge portion therein and also includes a flange for securing the first upper hinge portion thereunder. The second lower hinge portion includes a second opening correspondingly sized to receive the second elongate upper hinge member therein for limiting lateral movement between the side walls and the base.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A collapsible container comprising: a base having a lower hinge portion including a first lower hinge portion and a second lower hinge portion; and a plurality of upstanding side walls attached to the base and having an upper hinge portion extending downwardly therefrom, the

What is claimed is: 1. A collapsible container comprising: a base having a lower hinge portion including a first lower hinge portion and a second lower hinge portion; and a plurality of upstanding side walls attached to the base and having an upper hinge portion extending downwardly therefrom, the upper hinge portion including an elongate first upper hinge portion and an elongate second upper hinge portion, wherein the first lower hinge portion of the base includes a first opening for receiving the first upper hinge portion therein and also including a flange for securing the first upper hinge portion thereunder, and wherein the second lower hinge portion includes a support surface below a second opening correspondingly sized for receiving the second upper hinge portion therein and the second lower hinge portion includes an upward protrusion adjacent the support surface on an interior side of the support surface for limiting lateral movement of the side wall relative to the base toward an interior of the container in a direction perpendicular to an axis about which the side wall pivots relative to the base, and wherein the flange is deflected in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis upon insertion of the first upper hinge portion into the first lower hinge portion in a direction not parallel to the axis about which the side wall pivots relative to the base, and wherein at least one of the upstanding sidewalls has a latch striker portion and an adjacent one of the upstanding sidewalls has a latch receiver portion for receiving the latch striker portion when the container is in its assembled orientation. 2. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the second upper hinge portion has a cylindrical cross-section. 3. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the second upper hinge portion is disposed adjacent the first upper hinge portion. 4. The collapsible container of claim 1 wherein the flange of the first lower hinge portion extends downwardly. 5. The collapsible container of claim 4 wherein the flange includes a lowermost edge for abutting the first upper hinge portion. 6. The collapsible container of claim 4 wherein the first upper hinge portion includes a flat surface, the flat surface abutting and deflecting inwardly of the container the flange during insertion of the first upper hinge portion into the first lower hinge portion. 7. The collapsible container of claim 6 wherein the first upper hinge portion has an elongated cross-section that permits insertion of the first upper hinge portion into the first lower hinge portion when the first upper hinge portion is in a first rotational position relative to the first lower hinge portion and retains the first upper hinge portion to the first lower hinge portion when the first upper hinge portion is in a second rotational position relative to the first lower hinge portion, the second rotational position different from the first rotational position. 8. The collapsible container of claim 7 wherein the upper hinge portion includes at least one downwardly extending arm connected to the second upper hinge portion, the at least one arm abutting a portion of the second lower hinge portion to prevent movement in a direction axially along the second upper hinge portion. 9. The collapsible container of claim 8 wherein the at least one arm includes a pair of arms, each abutting the second lower hinge portion to prevent movement in both directions along the axis. 10. The collapsible container of claim 1 wherein the second lower hinge portion includes a concave support surface supporting the second upper hinge portion thereon. 11. The collapsible container of claim 10 wherein the second opening of the second lower hinge portion is correspondingly sized for receiving the second upper hinge portion therein and for limiting lateral movement between the side walls and the base in a direction generally parallel to a plane generally defined by the base. 12. The collapsible container of claim 1 wherein the first upper hinge portion is received in the first lower hinge portion in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to the axis. 13. The collapsible container of claim 1 wherein the upper hinge portion includes a pair of spaced-apart, downwardly extending arms connected proximate opposite longitudinal ends of the second upper hinge portion. 14. The collapsible container of claim 13 wherein each arm of the pair of arms abuts the second lower hinge portion to prevent movement in both directions along the axis. 15. The collapsible container of claim 1 wherein the second upper hinge portion is supported on the support surface of the second lower hinge portion and contacts the upward protrusion to limit lateral movement of the second upper hinge portion toward the interior of the container. 16. The collapsible container of claim 15 wherein the support surface is concave and opens upwardly. 17. A collapsible container comprising: a base having a plurality of lower hinge portions; and a plurality of upstanding side walls pivotably attached to the base and having lower areas with upper hinge portions attached therewith in a unitary construction, the upper hinge portions received by the lower hinge portions in a secure manner, wherein one of the upstanding sidewalls has a latch receiver portion formed integrally therewith, the latch receiver portion having a receiving area defined by a plurality of beveled surfaces, and wherein an adjacent one of the upstanding walls has a latch striker portion having corresponding mating beveled surfaces for being received securely within the latch receiver portion to retain the adjacent one of the upstanding side walls in its assembled orientation, wherein the plurality of beveled surfaces on the latch receiver portion and the plurality of beveled surfaces on the latch striker portion each include three substantially planar surfaces extending at acute nonzero angles relative to one another. 18. The collapsible container of claim 17 wherein the latch striker portion snap-fits into the latch receiver portion when the adjacent one of the side walls is moved to an upright position. 19. The collapsible container of claim 17 wherein at least one of the beveled surfaces of the latch receiver portion and the latch striker portion is flexed upon insertion of the latch striker portion into the latch receiver portion. 20. The collapsible container of claim 17 wherein on the latch receiver portion and on the latch striker portion, the three substantially planar surfaces include a middle surface generally defining a plane and two side surfaces extending at acute nonzero angles relative to the plane. 21. The collapsible container of claim 17, wherein the latch receiver portion includes a pair of arms extending at an angle inwardly of the container and away from one another, and wherein at least one of the pair of arms includes an interference portion behind which the latch striker portion snaps when one of the side walls is moved to its assembled position. 22. The collapsible container of claim 21 wherein the latch striker portion includes a pair of outer surfaces angling inwardly of the container and away from one another, the pair of outer surfaces abutting the pair of arms when the container is in its assembled position. 23. The collapsible container of claim 22 wherein the latch receiver portion further includes a generally flat surface between the pair of arms abutting a generally flat outer surface between the pair of outer surfaces of the latch striker portion when the container is in its assembled position. 24. The collapsible container of claim 22 wherein the latch striker portion and latch receiver portion are a knock-down latch, such that they are unlatched by applying an external force to one of the adjacent walls, without manually actuating a release for the latch striker portion and latch receiver portion. 25. A collapsible container comprising: a base having a lower hinge portion including a first lower hinge portion and a second lower hinge portion; and at least one side wall pivotably attached to the base and having an upper hinge portion extending downwardly therefrom, the upper hinge portion including an elongate first upper hinge portion having an axis and an elongate second upper hinge portion, wherein the first lower hinge portion of the base includes a first recess for receiving the first upper hinge portion therein in a direction not parallel to the axis of the first upper hinge portion and also including a stop portion for securing the first upper hinge portion thereunder, and wherein the second lower hinge portion includes a second opening for receiving the second upper hinge portion securely therein, wherein the second lower hinge portion includes an upwardly-opening concave support surface supporting the second upper hinge portion thereon and for limiting lateral movement between the side wall and the base while enhancing the pivotability therebetween, wherein the side wall is pivotable about a pivot axis relative to the base, and wherein the stop portion is deflected in a direction generally perpendicular to the pivot axis upon insertion of the first upper hinge portion into the first lower hinge portion. 26. The collapsible container of claim 25 wherein the stop portion of the first lower hinge portion extends downwardly. 27. The collapsible container of claim 26 wherein the stop portion includes a lowermost edge for abutting the first upper hinge portion. 28. A collapsible container comprising: a base having a lower hinge portion including a first lower hinge portion and a second lower hinge portion; and a plurality of upstanding side walls attached to the base, each side wall pivotable about an axis and having an upper hinge portion extending downwardly therefrom, the upper hinge portion including an elongate first upper hinge portion and an elongate second upper hinge portion, wherein the first lower hinge portion of the base includes a first opening for receiving the first upper hinge portion therein and also including a flange for securing the first upper hinge portion thereunder, such that the flange is deflected in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis upon insertion of the first upper hinge portion into the first lower hinge portion in a direction not parallel to the axis, and wherein the second lower hinge portion has a recess that includes a second opening for receiving the second upper hinge portion therein, the second lower hinge portion further including an upward protrusion adjacent the recess on an interior side of the second opening, the upward protrusion limiting lateral movement of the second upper hinge portion toward an interior of the container.