Collapsible container

Abstract

A collapsible container that may be configured in a collapsed condition or an erected condition, including a base (102), a pair of side walls (104) and a pair of side walls (106) that are pivotally attached to the base. The walls (104,106) are arranged to lie substantially parallel with the base (102) when collapsed and to stand substantially perpendicular to the base when erected. The free edges of the erected walls define an open mouth. A pair of stacking elements (116) are located adjacent to the free edges of the end walls (106) for supporting the base of another container stacked on the first container. The end walls (106) lie adjacent the base (102) and side walls (104) overlie the end walls when collapsed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to Great Britain Patent Application Nos. 0600164.8, filed Jan. 6, 2006; and 0522341.7, filed Nov. 2, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a collapsible container that is suitable for stacking. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Stacking containers are widely used in the retail industry for transporting produce such as fresh fruit and vegetables from the growers to the shops, and for displaying those goods for sale. The containers protect the goods during transportation and storage and may be stacked for efficient handling and storage. After the goods have been sold, the containers are washed and returned for re-filling. [0006] In order to minimise shipping costs when returning the empty containers, they are normally designed...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] The container described above provides a number of important advantages over the prior art. First, because the end walls have to be folded before the side walls, the side walls cannot easily collapse during the washing process. This makes the process more reliable. Because the stacking element (or elements) does not protrude far into the open mouth of the container, it does not significantly restrict access to the goods in the container. The stacking element(s) are however able to support a second container stacked on top of the folding container, the base of the second container being smaller than the mouth of the collapsible container. The container can therefore be stacked either with similar collapsible containers or with nesting containers. Further, when the container is in a collapsed condition it occupies less than 25% of the volume occupied when it is in an erected condition, thereby providing greater economies in shipping costs.

[0030] Preferably, the stacking element is pivotally attached to the shorter wall. The stacking element may include locking elements that are constructed and arranged to engage the longer walls when deployed, to prevent unintended collapse of the walls.

Problems solved by technology

First, because the end walls have to be folded before the side walls, the side walls cannot easily collapse during the washing process.

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