초록 ▼

A collapsible box, including a bottom, top and first and second opposing endwalls, and first and second opposed sidewalls connecting the bottom and top of the box on opposing sides of the box. Each of the sidewalls have a top sidewall panel attached by a top hinge to the top and a bottom sidewall p

A collapsible box, including a bottom, top and first and second opposing endwalls, and first and second opposed sidewalls connecting the bottom and top of the box on opposing sides of the box. Each of the sidewalls have a top sidewall panel attached by a top hinge to the top and a bottom sidewall panel attached by a bottom hinge to the bottom. The top and bottom sidewall panels are attached together along adjacent edges by a center hinge, whereby the top and bottom sidewalls are pivotally-moveable relative to each other and the top and bottom between a erect position and a collapsed position. A catch member is carried on each end of at least one of the top and bottom sidewall panels proximate an extended pivot axis of the center hinge. A complementary catch member is carried on opposing side edges of the first and second endwalls for mating with the respective catch members of the first and second sidewalls to latch the box in the erect position.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A collapsible box, comprising: (a) a bottom, top and first and second opposing endwalls: (b) first and second opposed sidewalls connecting the bottom and top of the box on opposing sides of the box, each of the sidewalls comprising: (i) a top sidewall panel attached by a top hinge to th

I claim: 1. A collapsible box, comprising: (a) a bottom, top and first and second opposing endwalls: (b) first and second opposed sidewalls connecting the bottom and top of the box on opposing sides of the box, each of the sidewalls comprising: (i) a top sidewall panel attached by a top hinge to the top; (ii) a bottom sidewall panel attached by a bottom hinge to the bottom; (iii) the top and bottom sidewall panels attached together along adjacent edges by a center hinge, whereby the top and bottom sidewalls are pivotally-moveable relative to each other and the top and bottom between an erect position and a collapsed position; (iv) a catch member carried on each end of at least one of the top and bottom sidewall panels in alignment with the center hinge such that the catch member latches both the top and bottom sidewall panels; and (c) a complementary catch member carried on opposing side edges of the first and second endwalls in alignment with the center hinge for mating with the respective catch members of the first and second sidewalls to latch the box in the erect position. 2. A collapsible box according to claim 1, wherein the top comprises a rectilinear frame and the bottom comprises a bottom wall. 3. A collapsible box according to claim 1, wherein the top, bottom and center hinges comprise single-axis hinges. 4. A collapsible box according to claim 1, wherein the catch members are carried by the sidewalls and each comprise a male catch member having a free end thereof, and the complementary catch members each comprise an opening positioned on respective first and second endwalls for receiving the free end of the male catch member to thereby retain the top and bottom side walls in an erect position perpendicular to the endwalls. 5. A collapsible box according to claim 1, wherein the catch members are carried by one or the other of the sidewalls or the endwalls, and each comprise a male catch member having a free end therein, and the complementary catch members carried on one or the other of the sidewalls and the endwalls and each comprise an opening for receiving the male catch member to retain the top and bottom side walls in an erect position perpendicular to the endwalls. 6. A collapsible box according to claim 1, the endwalls are pivotally-mounted to opposing ends of the top and are adapted to move between a position perpendicular to the top in the erect position and a position parallel to the top in the collapsed position. 7. A collapsible box according to claim 4, wherein the opening comprises a notch. 8. A collapsible box according to claim 1, wherein the top, bottom, endwalls and sidewalls are formed of plastic, and further wherein the catch members and complementary catch members are integrally formed with one or the other of the endwalls and sidewalls. 9. A collapsible box according to claim 1, wherein the box is rectangular and the sidewalls have a length greater than the width of the endwalls. 10. A collapsible box according to claim 1, wherein the box has no more than four catches for latching the sidewalls to the endwalls in the erect position. 11. A collapsible box, comprising: (a) a rectangular plastic bottom, rectangular plastic top and first and second opposing plastic endwalls: (b) first and second opposed sidewalls connecting the bottom and top of the box on opposing sides of the box, each of the sidewalls comprising: (i) a top sidewall panel attached by a top single-axis hinge to the top; (ii) a bottom sidewall panel attached by a bottom single-axis hinge to the bottom; (iii) the top and bottom sidewall panels attached together along adjacent edges by a center single-axis hinge, whereby the top and bottom sidewalk are pivotally-moveable relative to each other and to the top and bottom between an erect position and a collapsed position; (iv) a single male catch member carried on each end of one of the top and bottom sidewall panels in alignment with the center hinge such that the catch member latches both the top and bottom sidewall panels; and (c) a single complementary catch member carried on opposing side edges of the first and second endwalls in alignment with the center hinge for mating with the respective single catch members of the first and second sidewalls to latch the box in the erect position. 12. A collapsible box according to claim 11, the endwalls are pivotally-mounted to opposing ends of the top and are adapted to move between a position perpendicular to the top in the erect position and a position parallel to the top in the collapsed position. 13. A collapsible box according to claim 11, wherein the opening comprises a notch.