초록 ▼

A collapsible container includes a base, and pairs of opposed side and end walls that are pivotally mounted on the base. When the side walls are pivoted to a raised position against inward flanges defined on the end walls, latch members on the side walls engage complementary shoulders defined on end

A collapsible container includes a base, and pairs of opposed side and end walls that are pivotally mounted on the base. When the side walls are pivoted to a raised position against inward flanges defined on the end walls, latch members on the side walls engage complementary shoulders defined on end wall flange projections to thereby lock the side walls relative to the end walls. Each latch member includes a base portion mounted proximate to a respective lateral edge of the side wall, a lever arm portion extending away from the side wall's lateral edge, and an intermediate portion having a camming surface and adjacent shoulder with which to engage the respective end wall flange projection. When raised, edge portions of each side wall are received in recessed shelves defined in the base while the side wall's inner face simultaneously engages cantilevered stop members defined in the base.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A collapsible container comprising: a bottom panel having a peripheral edge; and a plurality of side panels, each side panel being mounted on the bottom panel along a respective portion of the peripheral edge for pivoting movement about a respective pivot axis between a colla

What is claimed is: 1. A collapsible container comprising: a bottom panel having a peripheral edge; and a plurality of side panels, each side panel being mounted on the bottom panel along a respective portion of the peripheral edge for pivoting movement about a respective pivot axis between a collapsed position and a raised position; wherein one side panel includes a basal edge, and an inwardly-facing abutting surface proximate to the basal edge; and wherein the bottom panel includes at least one integrally-molded stop member that engages the inwardly-facing abutting surface of the one side panel when the one side panel is pivoted to the raised position and the stop member includes a cantilevered portion extending in the direction of the peripheral edge proximate to the basal edge of the one side panel. 2. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein a free end of the cantilevered portion of the stop member engages the basal edge of the one side panel. 3. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the peripheral edge of the bottom panel includes a raised flange that overlies an outer face of the one side panel when the one side panel is pivoted to the raised position. 4. The collapsible container of claim 3, wherein the peripheral edge of the bottom panel includes a recessed shelf, and wherein the basal edge of the one side panel pivots into engagement with the recessed shelf when the one side panel is pivoted to the raised position. 5. The collapsible container of claim 3, wherein the one side panel includes a lateral edge and an outer face bordering the lateral edge, and wherein another side panel includes a lateral edge having a flange that overlies the outer face of the one side panel when the panels are in the raised position, whereby the flange of the another side panel prevents further relative outward movement of the lateral edge of the one side panel. 6. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the stop member engages the inwardly facing abutting surface as the one side panel is pivoted from the raised position toward the collapsed position. 7. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein one side panel pivots about a first pivot axis and the adjacent side panel pivots about a second pivot axis, and the first pivot axis has a different height than the second pivot axis. 8. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the one side panel contacts an adjacent side panel when the one side panel is in the raised position. 9. A collapsible container comprising: a bottom panel having a peripheral edge, and a plurality of side panels, each side panel being mounted on the bottom panel along a respective portion of the peripheral edge for pivoting movement about a respective pivot axis between a collapsed position and a raised position, each side panel including a pair of diametrical lateral edges, each side panel pivoting to the raised position relative to the bottom panel such that each lateral edge of a given side panel interlockingly engages a lateral edge of an adjacent side panel, wherein one side panel includes an outer face and a basal edge bordering the outer face, wherein the peripheral edge of the bottom panel includes a recessed shelf, wherein the recessed shelf is located below the pivot axis of the one side panel, wherein the basal edge of the one side panel pivots into engagement with the recessed shelf when the one side panel is pivoted to the raised position, wherein the one side panel includes an inwardly-facing abutting surface proximate to the basal edge, and wherein the bottom panel includes at least one integrally-molded, cantilevered stop member having a free end surface extending in the direction of the recessed shelf of the peripheral edge that engages the inwardly-facing abutting surface of the one side panel when the one side panel is pivoted to the raised position. 10. The collapsible container of claim 9, wherein the peripheral edge of the bottom panel proximate the recessed shelf includes a raised flange that overlies the outer face of the one side panel when the one side panel is pivoted to the raised position. 11. The collapsible container of claim 9, wherein the one side panel includes a latch member having a base portion mounted on the one side panel proximate to the lateral edge thereof, a lever arm portion extending generally away from the lateral edge, and a first intermediate portion disposed between the base portion and the lever arm portion, the first intermediate portion including a first camming surface and a first shoulder adjacent to the first camming surface, and wherein the adjacent side panel includes an inward projection having a second camming surface and a second shoulder adjacent to the second camming surface, the camming surfaces and shoulders being generally disposed at a same height above the bottom panel when the one side panel and the adjacent side panel are respectively pivoted to the raised position. 12. The collapsible container of claim 11, wherein the inward projection projects from a flange of the adjacent wall. 13. The collapsible container of claim 11, wherein the one side panel includes a rib proximate to the lateral edge thereof extending generally perpendicular to the pivot axis of the one side panel, and wherein the base portion of the latch member is integrally formed with the rib. 14. The collapsible container of claim 11, wherein the base portion of the latch member includes a pair of spaced legs joined to the intermediate portion on either side of the camming surface. 15. The collapsible container of claim 14, wherein the legs of the base portion extend to respective positions outboard of the intermediate portion of the latch member such that deflection of the latch member relative to the outer face of the one side panel generates both flexural and torsional bending of each leg.