초록 ▼

Collapsible reusable carrying cases are provided in sizes varying from small food containers to large push cart bins on casters. The cases are assembled or disassembled from a joined flat space-saving configuration to a functioning case and vice-versa. All parts that make up a carrying case do not s

Collapsible reusable carrying cases are provided in sizes varying from small food containers to large push cart bins on casters. The cases are assembled or disassembled from a joined flat space-saving configuration to a functioning case and vice-versa. All parts that make up a carrying case do not separate from the carrying case and no parts can be removed. The cases are formed from rigid plastic panels, and are assembled or disassembled without tools. The sides of the cases are erected progressively by hand by interlocking elements at the corners. The panels also disassemble progressively by being manually pulled apart. When folded into a flat storage or shipping configuration, the panels stay together, resisting unfolding by virtue of snaps which are either molded into the panels or bonded to them. The carrying cases are resistant to water, dirt, bacteria, molds, allergens, and inclement weather.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of forming and using a reusable box cart comprising the steps of: forming said box cart from a substantially rectangular completely flat bottom panel, upwardly extending side panels connected to said bottom panel at bottom fold lines along outer edges of said bottom panel, and a cover pa

1. A method of forming and using a reusable box cart comprising the steps of: forming said box cart from a substantially rectangular completely flat bottom panel, upwardly extending side panels connected to said bottom panel at bottom fold lines along outer edges of said bottom panel, and a cover panel joined to a top edge of one of said side panels at a cover fold line, said bottom panel, side panels and said cover panel being of one piece construction and not detachable at said fold lines, said cover panel having a recess adjacent each corner thereof, said bottom panel having a metal frame assembly including a caster adjacent each corner thereof for moving said box cart, said casters being in alignment with said recesses;forming said box cart into an assembled configuration by folding said side panels upwardly forming a top opening, swiveling said cover panel between a position closing said top opening and a position exposing said top opening, and forming and using releasable attachments along side edges of adjoining side panels for securing corners of said box cart;said releasable attachments comprising strips of interlocking, spaced nibs mounted on adjacent, adjoined edges of said side panels, said spaced nibs each comprising enlarged spherically shaped distal ends thereof, whereby said spaced nibs on said adjacent, adjoined edges of said side panels are interlockable for securing any contents;providing said releasable attachments being single columns of upwardly extending nibs intersecting with, and engaging with, respective single columns of upwardly extending interlocking spaced nibs of adjoined edges of said side and end panels at about ninety degrees from each other, said engagement of said nibs being engageable at orthogonal right angles; andusing said box cart to store or move contents therein. 2. The method of claim 1 in which said metal frame assembly includes a braking system for locking and unlocking simultaneously all four casters. 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of providing that said brakes of the braking system are engaged by a brake foot pedal, which said brake foot pedal is pushed down into a latched position, providing both auditory and tactile feedback of having achieved a locked state, whereby said brakes are disengaged by a brake release pedal which unlatches said brake foot pedal, whereby said brake foot pedal rises, whereby further said engagement of said brake foot pedal engages four separate brake elements simultaneously on all four said casters, thereby keeping each said caster from rotating or swiveling. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein said braking system further comprises: a brake rod extending from a first housing to a second housing through a brake pedal assembly gear;said second housing containing a ring brake element;said first housing further having an additional ring brake element;said first and second housings each having a pair of meshed bevel gears, extending the action of said brake rod synchronously to an extension rod and onward to a front brake rod;said braking system having a pivotable rigid chassis responsive to a robust extension spring;said rigid chassis being configured as a sector of an internal gear meshed with a pinion gear, which turns said brake rod;said pinion gear being sized to turn 180 degrees over an excursion of said brake foot pedal over its rotation from an up position to a bottom latched position, whereby a rotary motion of said brake rod operates on two rear casters of said casters and is conveyed along a side via said extension rod through said meshed bevel gears in said first housing and said second housing and then onward through said front brake rod at the front through said front meshed bevel gears in said first housing to operate said front two double caster brakes. 5. The method of claim 4 further comprises each said caster having an arm and swivel ball bearing centered on a swivel axis, said brake system having a ring brake element, ring brake element being housed in a housing to restrict its movement to a vertical direction, an end of said operating brake rod being a semicircular cam and penetrating a side of said ring brake, whereby a compression spring exerts downward force atop said ring brake, forcing said ring brake down in contact with a top of said caster unless said cam is turned with its flat side downward within a hole to lift said cam out of contact and releasing the braking force. 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of reducing a height of said cart from a first predetermined height to a lower second predetermined reduced height by providing an intermediate fold line allowing upper portions of said side panels to fold outwardly and down to form a cart of said reduced height. 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of providing an additional fold line in said cover panel to form a pair of half panels to support said reduced height configuration of said side panels. 8. The method as in claim 1 further comprising the step of stacking a plurality of said box carts in either or both the assembled and folded configurations by placing an upper box cart over a lower box cart with the casters of the upper box cart dropping into the recesses in the lower box cart. 9. The method of claim 1 in which all of said panels are constructed of air-tight and water-tight rigid plastic material. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein said panels are folded within a perimeter confines of said metal frame assembly.