A collapsible or folding transport container

Abstract

A folding transport container 10 comprising: a base 11, a pair of opposed end walls 12 and a pair of opposed side walls 13, each pivotably mounted to the base, with at least one abutment surface on wa

Description

Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to the field of folding transport containers and more particularly to a folding transport container with a latch configuration for locking and unlocking collapsible or folding side walls of such a container. Background to the Invention Folding transport containers and latch devices therefore are available. One such container and latch device is disclosed in European Patent No. 2840034 which discloses a locking device for locking and unlocking foldable or collapsible side walls of a container, in particular a reusable container, wherein, when a side wall and at least one other side wall adjacent thereto are in an upright position, in particular a position perpendicular to a container base, at least one locking element formed on the one side wall can be brought into a locking position in which it effects a positive connection between the one side wall and the at least one other adjacent side wall, so that the one side wall cannot be folded or folded inwards, and can be brought into an unlocking position in which at least the one side wall can be folded or folded inwards can, characterized in that the at least one locking element is rotatably arranged on the one side wall and can be rotated at least into the unlocking position via an actuator which can be manually operated in a translational manner, in particular in the vertical direction of the container. Another configuration is disclosed in European Patent No. 2112080 which discloses a transport and storage container with a rectangular base and with four side walls which can be adjusted between an upright use position and a flat empty position, wherein two first, opposite side walls are each equipped with an adjustable locking device, wherein the locking devices in their locking position, when the upright side walls are in the use position, hold them in releasable engagement with one another at their adjacent side edges, so that the four side walls form a circumferential wall section, wherein when the locking device is in the unlocked position, the side walls are disengaged from one another and can be folded towards the base into the flat empty position, and wherein each locking device has a locking body running over the length of the first side wall, which is guided on the first side wall so as to be movable in the vertical direction, characterized in that that the locking body runs along an upper edge region of the first side wall, that an upper position of the locking body is its locking position, that the locking body is subjected to a preloading force acting upwards in the locking direction and that the locking body can be adjusted from its locking position to its unlocking position by pressing it downwards against the preload force. Whilst these prior devices function to provide a folding transport container, the latching devices and containers are complex, with many moving parts which can be easily broken or malfunction which leads to an inability to collapse the container when required. It is an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome or at least ameliorate any one or more of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the user with a useful or commercial choice. Summary of the Invention According to an aspect, there is provided a folding transport container comprising: a) a base wall, a pair of opposed end walls each pivotally attached to the base wall and a pair of opposed side walls each pivotally attached to the base wall and perpendicular to the pair of end walls; b) at least one abutment surface on each end walls and at least one second abutment surface on each side wall to abut when assembled to hold the end walls and side walls perpendicularly; and c) At least one locking connection between each end wall and the pair of side walls, the at least one locking connection comprising: i. at least one locking surface on the end walls and at least one second locking surface on the side walls to abut when in the assembled condition to hold the at least one abutment surface and at least one second abutment surface in abutment; and ii. at least one biasing component provided between the base wall and at least one of the end walls or the side walls to bias the end wall or side wall away from the base wall in the assembled condition and depressible to move the locking surface and second locking surface out of abutment. Providing a folding transport container with at least one locking connection as recited creates a folding transport container which is both robust when assembled with the end walls and side walls locked in position relative to one another and which is easy to collapse with the at least one biasing component provided in a position in which it is not easily actuated unless by determined operation. The folding transport container may be a plastic container. In one embodiment, the folding transport container may be reusable. In use, the folding transport container may contain products or items on an outbound leg for delivery and once delivered, the products or items are removed, the transport container can be collapsed or folded and transported elsewhere, preferably back to the sender where the container can be reused. The folding transport container may be of any size. The folding transport container may be generally rectangular. The folding transport container may comprise a base wall, a pair of opposed end walls each pivotally attached to the base wall and a pair of opposed sidewalls each pivotally attached to the base wall and perpendicular to the pair of end walls. The base wall may be planar. The base wall may be formed of a support surface with one or more upstanding strengthening ribs extending therefrom. The strengthening ribs may have any pattern or configuration. The provision of a support surface with strengthening ribs may allow reduction in weight without sacrificing strength. The base wall may define the overall shape and size of the folding transport container. The base wall may be rectangular. One or more mounting configurations may be provided on the base wall to allow mounting of the pair of opposed end walls and the pair of opposed sidewalls pivotally to the base wall. The mounts used for the end walls and the sidewalls may differ in configuration from one another. For example, either the end walls or the side walls may simply pivot or rotate about a mounting axis between the collapsed and assembled conditions. The other of the end walls of the side walls may be mounted on arms. In an embodiment, the arms may be mounted to the base by extending into a corresponding opening in the base. A lower or bottom portion of the arm may be captured or retained in the corresponding opening, so that once inserted, the arm cannot be removed from the corresponding opening but can be depressed against the biasing component and be rotated. In another embodiment, the arms may be attached to mounts provided on the base wall. The arms may have elongate slot openings to receive a hinge pin or similar therein allowing pivoting or rotation thereof but also allowing linear movement over the length of the elongate slot. The provision of mounts of this type may allow the wall to be depressed against the biasing force of the at least one biasing component and be rotated. Alternatively, an enlarged protrusion or similar may be provided on a lower end of each arm to ride in a corresponding slot depression or opening in the facing side of the mount. This may allow the wall to be depressed against the biasing force of the at least one biasing component and be rotated, and additionally, allows the end wall to be snap-fit to the base (and possibly also be removable therefrom). The sidewalls may be mounted to the base wall on a raised mounting rib. This may space the lower end of the side wall above the upper surface of the base wall. A mounting rib may extend along each side edge of the base wall. In one form, the mounting rib may be crenelated having a number of crenels (low portions) separated by a number of merlons (high portions). A hinge may be provided in each crenel to mount the side wall relative to the mounting rib. Any type of hinge may be used. For example, the hinge including a rod or pin could be used or alternatively, the mounting rib and side wall may be provided with engageable portions to form a hinge without a rod or pin. A bottom edge of each side wall may correspond to the shape of the upper edge of the mounting rib. The bottom edge of each side wall may comprise one or more tabs to align with the crenels in the mounting rib. The tabs may be received in a respective crenel in the mounting rib with appropriate clearance therebetween to allow rotation of the side wall between the collapsed and assembled condition. The side wall may be substantially upright, perpendicularly extending relative to the base wall when assembled. The side wall may be parallel to the base wall when collapsed or folded. The lower edge of the side wall may abut an upper edge of the mounting rib when in the assembled condition. The abutment may act as a stop to minimise or prevent over rotation of the side wall past the perpendicular. Each side wall may be planar. Each side wall may be generally rectangular. Each side wall may include one or more openings therethrough to act as a handle to lift the folding transport container. The height of each side wall is preferably no more than half of the width of the base wall. In this configuration, the sidewalls can be folded to be parallel with the base wall toward each other, without overlapping when collapsed or folded. Each end wall may be planar. Each end wall may include one or more openings therethrough to act as a handle to lift the folding transport container. Each end wall may be generally rectangular. Each end wall may include a lower edge which provides an abutment surface against which the at least one biasing component may impose a biasing force. The lower edge of each end wall may be spaced from an upper surface of the base wall to allow for depression of the end wall against the at least one biasing component. Each end wall may mount relative to the base wall at an end edge of the base wall. One or more mounts may be provided for this purpose as mentioned above. In one embodiment, two pairs of spaced apart mounts may be provided on each end edge of the base wall. The mounts may extend upwardly to a lesser extent or a lower height than the mounting rib for mounting the sidewalls to the base wall. Each end wall may be sized such that the side edges of the end wall fit within the dimension between the mounting ribs on the sides of the base wall. This may allow the end wall to be folded into the collapsed condition between the mounting ribs. When the end wall is in the folded or collapsed condition, the end wall may lay on or abut an upper surface of the base wall. The sidewalls may then be collapsed on top of the end walls and sandwich the end walls to the base wall. A portion of the base wall may extend past the mounts on each end of the base wall. This portion may abut a part of a return portion provided on the side walls, at each end. A catch or similar may be provided in this end region of the base wall to retain each side wall in the collapsed condition. The folding transport container may include at least one abutment surface on each end wall and at least one second abutment surface on each side wall to abut when assembled to hold the end walls in the side wall perpendicularly. The abutment surface may be provided on or adjacent to the side edges of the end wall at both sides of the end wall. The abutment surface may be provided as a rebate portion. The rebate portion may be thinner than the thickness of the end wall. The rebate portion may be provided on the inside of the end wall. The abutment surface may be planar. In an embodiment, one or more openings may be provided in the side edge of the end wall within which the second locking surface may be provided. A single opening may be provided towards an upper edge of the end wall. A single opening may be provided on each side of the end wall. The second abutment surface may be planar. The second abutment surface may be provided on or adjacent to the end edges of the side wall, at both end of the side wall. The second abutment surface may be provided on a return portion provided at an angle to the plane of the side wall. A return portion may be provided at both ends of the side wall. The return portion may have an L-shaped configuration, extending inwardly from each end of the side wall from the plane of the side wall. An inner surface of the return portion may be the second abutment surface. The return portion may be only part of the thickness of the end wall, possibly approximately one half of the thickness of the end wall. The return portion may seat in the preferred rebate (which may also be approximately one half of the thickness of the end wall) on the side edges of the end wall and together, the return portion and the rebate portion may be the full thickness of the end wall. In use, the end wall may be held in abutment with the side wall by the locking connection. The end wall may be prevented from moving outwardly past the rebate portion by the second abutment surface on the side wall. One or more protrusions may be provided extending from the abutment surface on the end wall. The one or more protrusions may extend parallel to the plane of the side wall. In one embodiment a number of protrusions are provided spaced over the height of the end wall. The one or more protrusions may be configured to be received at least partially into corresponding slot openings provided on the return portion of the side wall. One or more corresponding slot openings may be provided on the second abutment surface to receive the one or more protrusions. When the one or more protrusions are positioned within the one or more slot openings, this may strengthen the orientation of the side wall when assembled. The engagement between the protrusions and the openings may prevent the side wall from opening further outwardly than perpendicular which could disengage the locking connection. The provision of protrusions and slot openings may allow linear movement, of the end wall, substantially vertically, during depression. The folding transport container may include at least one locking connection between each end wall and the pair of sidewalls. The locking connection may operate to lock the sidewalls and end walls together in the assembled condition until the biasing component is depressed to disengage the locking connection and allow folding. In one embodiment, the locking connection may comprise at least one locking surface on the end walls and at least one second locking surface on the sidewalls to abut when in the assembled condition to hold the at least one abutment surface and the at least one second abutment surface in abutment. The at least one locking surface may be provided on or adjacent to a side edge of the end wall. At least one locking surface may be provided on both side edges of the end wall. The locking surface may be provided on a lug positioned within the at least one opening in the side edge of the end wall. The lug may be only a part of the thickness of the rebate portion. The locking surface may be planar. The locking surface may be substantially parallel to the plane of the end wall. The lug may be provided at a lower end of the at least one opening. An alignment shoulder may be provided at a lower end of the at least one opening between the lug and the inner surface of the end wall. The second locking surface may be planar. The second locking surface may be substantially parallel to the plane of the end wall. The second locking surface may be spaced from the second abutment surface by a separation distance. The separation distance may be substantially equal to the dimension between the abutment surface on the end wall and the locking surface on the end wall. The second locking surface may be provided on a locking structure extending from the side wall. The locking structure may extend from an inner side of the side wall. At least one locking structure may be provided at each end of each side wall. Each locking structure may extend further with inwardly than the inner surface of the side wall. Each locking structure may be provided with an arcuate wall extending from the preferably planar second locking surface toward an opposite end of the container. The arcuate wall may curve back towards the side wall. The provision of an arcuate wall may allow the end wall to be forced past the side wall when moved into the assembled condition. Material properties of the side wall and / or end wall may allow some minor deformation of the side wall and / or end wall to allow the end wall to pass over the locking structure and into the locked condition. In another embodiment, the at least one locking connection may comprise at least one opening provided on or relative to the second abutment surface and a corresponding hook member or structure provided on or relative to the abutment surface. The opening may be a slot opening. The opening provided as a part of the at least one locking connection may be provided between openings provided to receive the protrusions as described above. The protrusions and corresponding openings may align the end wall and sidewall when assembled and the at least one locking connection may lock the end wall and sidewall together until the end wall is depressed against the biasing force to disconnect the at least one locking connection. In one form, the hook member or structure may be provided between two protrusions. A pair of hook members or structures, an upper hook member or structure and a lower hook member or structure may be provided on each side edge of both end walls. The hook member or structure may be received within a corresponding locking opening and the biasing force of the at least one biasing component may then force the hook member or structure into position against an inside surface of the opening to lock the hook member or structure to the periphery of the corresponding opening. The at least one locking connection may comprise at least one biasing component provided between the base wall and at least one of the end walls or the sidewalls to bias the end wall or side wall away from the base wall in the assembled condition and be depressible to move the locking surface and the second locking surface out of abutment. At least one biasing component may be provided between the pairs of mounts provided on the ends of the base wall. The at least one biasing component may be provided coplanar with the plane of the end wall when the end wall is raised into the assembly condition, substantially perpendicular to the base wall. The at least one biasing component may then abut a lower edge of the end wall when the end wall is raised into the assembly condition. The at least one biasing component may bias the end wall away from the base wall. Although the at least one biasing component may have any form, the at least one biasing component may be provided as an arcuate member. The ends of the arcuate member may be located between the pairs of mounts, if convex. A pair of mounting arms may be provided if the at least one biasing component is concave. A catch mechanism may be provided on a concave biasing component to retain the biasing component on the base wall. The arcuate member may be plastic or metal. The arcuate member may be deformable when force is applied in line with the end wall. The force may be applied in line with the end wall when the end wall is depressed downwardly toward the base wall. The force may cause temporary deformation of the at least one biasing component. Material properties of the at least one biasing component may drive the at least one biasing component to return to shape, providing the biasing force. The at least one biasing component may be convex or be concave at an upper side. An upper convex part of the at least one biasing component may abut an underside of the end wall when assembled. At least one upper concave part of the at least one biasing component may abut an underside of the end wall when assembled. The biasing force exerted by the at least one biasing component may hold the end wall upwardly away from the base wall which in turn holds the locking connection in the locked condition and determined depression of the end wall may temporarily deform the at least one biasing component to disengage the locking connection, allowing folding of the end walls (and then sidewalls) to overlie the base wall. The configuration described above has been described with depressible end walls, but it is within the abilities of a person skilled in the art to adapt the configuration described with the components in the opposite configuration, in other words, with depressible sidewalls, once provided with the instruction in the above explanation. Detailed Description of the Invention In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is an isometric end view of a folding transport container according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is an isometric end detail view of the folding transport container shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is an isometric view of the folding transport container shown in Figure 1 in a partially collapsed condition. Figure 4 is an isometric view of the folding transport container shown in Figure 1 with the side walls and one end wall removed for clarity. Figure 5 is an exploded view of the folding transport container shown in Figure 1. Figure 6 is an isometric view of the base of the folding transport container shown in Figure 1 showing the biasing components in position. Figure 7 is an isometric view of the base as shown in Figure 6 with the biasing components exploded therefrom. Figure 8 is an end elevation view of the folding transport container shown in Figure 1. Figure 9 is a detailed section view of the return portion of a first embodiment. Figure 10 is an isometric view of the base of the folding transport container shown in Figure 1 with the end walls and one sidewall removed. Figure 11 is an isometric view of the base of the folding transport container shown in Figure 1 in a fully collapsed or fully folded condition. Figure 12 is an isometric view of an inside corner region of a folding transport container of an alternative embodiment. Figure 13 is a detailed view of the portion identified in Figure 12 by reference ‘A’. Figure 14 is a detailed view of a lower inside region of the end of the folding transport container shown in Figure 12. A folding transport container 10 of an embodiment is illustrated in the Figures. The folding transport container 10 shown comprises a base wall 11, a pair of opposed end walls 12 each pivotally attached to the base wall 11 and a pair of opposed side walls 13 each pivotally attached to the base wall 11 and perpendicular to the pair of end walls 12. The folding transport container 10 also comprises an abutment surface 14 on each side of each end wall and a second abutment surface 15 on each end of each side wall to abut when assembled to hold the end walls 12 and side walls 13 perpendicularly. As illustrated, the folding transport container 10 is a reusable plastic container. The folding transport container 10 may contain products or items on an outbound leg for delivery and once delivered, the products or items are removed, the transport container 10 can be collapsed or folded to reduce the size of the container 10 and transported elsewhere, preferably back to the sender where the container 10 can be reassembled and reused. As shown in Figure 1, the folding transport container 10 may be generally rectangular. The base wall 11 may be planar as shown in Figures 6 and 10 in particular. The base wall 11 of the illustrated embodiment is formed of a lower support surface with an array or pattern of upstanding strengthening ribs extending 16 therefrom. The strengthening ribs 16 may have any pattern or configuration. The provision of a support surface with strengthening ribs 16 as shown may allow reduction in weight without sacrificing strength. Openings may be provided in the base wall 11 for drainage and / or to reduce weight without sacrificing strength. The base wall 11 may define the overall shape and size of the folding transport container 10. The base wall 11 of the rectangular transport container 10 illustrated, is rectangular. One or more mounting configurations may be provided on the base wall 11 to allow mounting of the pair of opposed end walls 12 and the pair of opposed sidewalls 13 pivotally to the base wall 11. As shown, the mounts 17 used for the end walls 12 and mounting rib 18 used for the sidewalls 13 differ in configuration. In the illustrated forms, the side walls 13 simply pivot or rotate about a mounting axis between the collapsed and assembled conditions. The end walls 12 are mounted on arms 19 (best seen in Figures 4, 5 and 14) which are attached to the mounts 17 provided on the opposite ends of the base wall 11. The arms 19 may have elongate slot openings (obscured in the Figures) therein allowing pivoting or rotation of the end wall as shown in Figure 1 and 7, but also allowing linear movement over the length of the elongate slot. The provision of mounts 17 and arms 19 of this configuration allows the end wall 12 to be depressed against the biasing force of the at least one biasing component 20 and to be biased upwardly in the assembled condition as shown in Figure 1. In the illustrated embodiments, the sidewalls 13 are mounted to the base wall 11 on a raised mounting rib 18. This may space the lower end of the side wall 13 above the upper surface of the base wall 11. A mounting rib 18 may extend along each side edge of the base wall 11 as shown in the Figures. In the illustrated form, the mounting rib 18 is crenelated, having a number of crenels 21 (low portions) separated by a number of merlons 22 (high portions). A hinge structure is provided in each crenel 21 to mount the side wall relative to the mounting rib 18. Any type of hinge may be used. For example, the hinge including a rod or pin could be used or alternatively as shown, the mounting rib 18 and bottom edge of the side wall 13 may be provided with enlarged portions and openings engageable to form a hinge without a rod or pin. The bottom edge of each side wall 13 may correspond to the shape of the upper edge of the mounting rib 18. The bottom edge of each side wall 13 may comprise one or more tabs to align with the crenels 21 in the mounting rib 18. The tabs are received in a respective crenel 21 in the mounting rib 18 with appropriate clearance therebetween to allow rotation of the side wall 13 between the collapsed condition and assembled condition and vice versa. As shown, the side wall is substantially upright, perpendicularly extending relative to the base wall when assembled as shown in Figure 1. The side wall 13 is parallel to the base wall 11 when collapsed or folded as shown in Figure 6. The bottom edge of the side wall 13 may abut an upper edge of the mounting rib 18 when in the assembled condition. The abutment may act as a stop to minimise or prevent over rotation of the side wall 13 past the perpendicular. Each side wall 13 shown is planar and generally rectangular. Each side wall 13 includes an opening 23 therethrough to act as a handle to lift the folding transport container 10. As best seen in Figure 11, the height of each side wall 13 is preferably no more than half of the width of the base wall 11. In this configuration, the sidewalls 13 can be folded to be parallel with the base wall 11 toward each other, without overlapping when collapsed or folded. Each end wall 12 shown is planar and generally rectangular. Each end wall 12 may include an opening 24 therethrough to act as a handle to lift the folding transport container 10. As shown in Figures 9 and 14, each end wall 12 includes a lower edge which provides an abutment surface against which the biasing components 20 impose a biasing force when the end walls 12 are in the assembled condition. As mentioned above and shown in Figures 9 and 14, the lower edge of each end wall 12 is spaced from an upper surface of the base wall 11 to allow for depression of the end wall 12 against the biasing components 20. Each end wall 12 may mount relative to the base wall 11 at an end edge of the base wall. In the illustrated embodiment, upwardly extending mounts 17 are provided for this purpose. In this embodiment, two pairs of spaced apart mounts 17 are provided on each end edge of the base wall 11. As best shown in Figure 6, the mounts 17 may extend upwardly to a lesser extent or a lower height than the mounting rib 18 for mounting the sidewalls 13 to the base wall 11. The mounts 17 on the end wall are provided on an inner side of an upwardly extending part which is unitary from an outer side. As shown in Figure 4, each end wall 12 may be sized such that the side edges of the end wall 12 fit within the dimension between the mounting ribs 18 on the sides of the base wall 11. This may allow the end wall 12 to be folded into the collapsed condition between the mounting ribs 18. When the end wall 12 is in the folded or collapsed condition, the end wall 12 may lay on or abut an upper surface of the base wall 11. The side walls 13 may then be collapsed on top of the end walls 12 and sandwich the end walls 12 to the base wall 13 as shown in Figure 6. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a terminal portion 25 of the base wall 11 may extend past each end of the base wall 11. This portion may abut a part of a return portion provided on the side walls 13, at each end. A catch or similar may be provided in this end region of the base wall to retain each side wall in the collapsed condition. In the form illustrated, the abutment surface 14 may be provided on or adjacent to the side edges of the end wall 12, at both sides of the end wall 12. The abutment surface may be provided as a rebate portion 26. The rebate portion 26 may be thinner than the thickness of the end wall 12. The rebate portion 26 may be provided on the inner side of the end wall 12. The abutment surface may be planar. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 11, the locking connection comprises a locking opening 40 provided on or relative to the second abutment surface (in the return 29 of the sidewall 13 as shown in Figure 5) and a corresponding hook member or structure 41 provided on or relative to the abutment surface, as best shown in Figures 5 and 9. The locking opening 40 may be a slot opening. The locking opening 40 provided as a part of the at least one locking connection may be provided between openings 31 provided to receive the protrusions 30. The protrusions 30 and corresponding openings 31 may align the end wall 12 and sidewall 13 when assembled and the locking connection may lock the end wall 12 and sidewall 13 together until the end wall 12 is depressed against the biasing force to disconnect the locking connection. In the form shown in Figures 5 and 9, the hook member or structure 41 is provided between two protrusions 30. A pair of hook members or structures 41, an upper hook member or structure and a lower hook member or structure are provided on each side edge of both end walls 12. The hook member or structure 41 may be received within the corresponding locking opening 40 and the biasing force of the biasing components 20 then force the hook member or structure 41 into position against an inside surface of the locking opening 40 to lock the hook member or structure 41 to the periphery of the corresponding locking opening 40. In the alternative embodiment shown in Figures 12 to 14, one or more openings 27 may be provided in the side edge of the end wall 12, within which a lug 28 with the second locking surface may be provided. In the illustrated embodiment, a single opening 27 is provided towards an upper edge of the end wall 12, on each side of the end wall 12. The second abutment surface may be planar. The second abutment surface may be provided on or adjacent to the end edges of the side wall 13, at both end of the side wall 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the second abutment surface is provided on a return portion 29 provided at an angle to the plane of the side wall 13. A return portion 29 is provided at both ends of the illustrated side walls 13. The return portion 29 shown forms an L-shaped configuration with the sidewall 13, extending inwardly from each end of the side wall 13 from the plane of the side wall 13. An inner surface of the return portion 29 may be the second abutment surface as shown in Figure 13. The return portion 29 shown is also approximately half of the thickness of the end wall 12. As shown in Figure 13, the return portion 29 seats against the rebate 26 on the side edges of the end wall 12 and together, the return portion 29 and the rebate 26 approximate the full thickness of the end wall 12. In use, the end wall 12 may be held in abutment with the side wall 13 by the locking connection. The end wall 12 may be prevented from moving outwardly past the rebate 26 by the second abutment surface on the side wall 13. As best shown in Figure 2 and 9, a number of protrusions 30 spaced over the height of the end wall may be provided extending from the abutment surface on the end wall 12. The protrusions 30 may extend parallel to the plane of the side wall 13. As shown, the protrusions 30 may be configured to be received at least partially into corresponding slot openings 31 provided on the return portion 29 of the side wall 13. The corresponding slot openings 31 are provided on the second abutment surface to receive a respective protrusion 30. When the protrusions 30 are positioned within the slot openings 31, this may strengthen the orientation of the side wall 13 when assembled. The engagement between the protrusions 30 and the openings 31 may prevent the side wall 13 from opening further outwardly than perpendicular which could disengage the locking connection. The provision of protrusions 30 and slot openings 31 may allow linear movement of the end wall 12, substantially vertically, during depression. A locking connection is provided between each end wall 12 and each side wall 13. The locking connection as shown comprises a locking surface on each side of each end wall 12 and a second locking surface on each end of each side wall 13 to abut when in the assembled condition to hold the abutment surface and second abutment surface in abutment as shown in Figures 3 and 4. A pair of biasing components 20 are provided between the base wall 11 and each end wall 12 to bias the end wall 12 upwardly away from the base wall 11 in the assembled condition. The end wall 12 and the biasing components 20 are depressible to move the locking surface and second locking surface out of abutment. The locking connection may operate to lock the sidewalls 13 and end walls 12 together in the assembled condition until the biasing components 20 are depressed by pressing the end wall 12 downwardly to disengage the locking connection and allow folding. In the alternative embodiment illustrated in Figures 12 to 14, the locking surfaces on the end walls 12 are provided on a lug 28 positioned within the opening 27 in each side edge of each end wall 12. The lug 28 is shown as being only a part of the thickness of the rebate portion 26 and the locking surface is planar. The locking surface is substantially parallel to the plane of the end wall 12. The lug 28 is provided at a lower end of the opening 27. An alignment shoulder may be provided at a lower end of the opening 27 between the lug 28 and the inner surface of the end wall 12. In the illustrated embodiment illustrated in Figures 12 to 14, the second locking surface is also planar and substantially parallel to the plane of the end wall. The second locking surface is spaced from the second abutment surface by a separation distance which is substantially equal to the dimension between the abutment surface on the end wall 12 and the locking surface on the end wall 12. As shown in this embodiment, the second locking surface may be provided on a locking structure 32 extending from the side wall. The locking structure 32 shown extends from an inner side of the side wall, further inwardly than the inner surface of the side wall 13. Each locking structure 32 may be provided with an arcuate wall extending from the planar second locking surface toward an opposite end of the container 10. The arcuate wall curves back towards the side wall. The provision of an arcuate wall may allow the end wall 12 to be forced past the side wall 13 when moved into the assembled condition. Material properties of the side wall 13 and / or end wall 12 may allow some minor deformation of the side wall 13 and / or end wall 12 to allow the end wall 12 to pass over the locking structure 32 and into the locked condition. As shown, a biasing component 20 may be provided between the pairs of mounts 17 provided on the ends of the base wall 11. The biasing components 20 may be provided coplanar with the plane of the end wall 12 when the end wall 12 is raised into the assembly condition, substantially perpendicular to the base wall 11. The biasing components 20 may then abut a lower edge of the end wall 12 when the end wall 12 is raised into the assembly condition. In the illustrated embodiment, the biasing components 20 are each provided as an arcuate member. The ends of the arcuate member are located between the pairs of mounts 17. The arcuate member may be plastic or metal. The arcuate member is deformable when force is applied in line with the end wall 12 when the end wall 12 is depressed downwardly toward the base wall 11. The biasing force exerted by the biasing components 20 may hold the end wall 12 upwardly away from the base wall 11 which in turn holds the locking connection in the locked condition and determined depression of the end wall 12 made deform the biasing components to disengage the locking connection, allowing folding of the end walls 12 (and then sidewalls 13) to overlie the base wall 11 in the collapsed condition. Assembly is simply accomplished in reverse where the sidewalls 13 are folded to be vertical followed by the end walls 12, with the end walls 12 forced into the locked condition with the abutment surfaces abutting the second abutment surfaces and the locking surfaces abutting the second locking surfaces with the biasing components 20 biasing the end walls 12 upwardly to maintain the abutment and the locking. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 11, the biasing components are arcuate and concave. As shown in Figure 7, a pair of mounting arms may be provided as shown. A catch mechanism may be provided on a concave biasing component to retain the biasing component on the base wall 13. In the embodiment shown in Figures 12 to 14, the biasing components are arcuate and convex. In this form, the ends of the arcuate biasing component 20 may be located between the pairs of mounts 17. The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A folding transport container comprising:a) a base wall, a pair of opposed end walls each pivotally attached to the base wall and a pair of opposed side walls each pivotally attached to the base wall and perpendicular to the pair of end walls;b) at least one abutment surface on each end walls and at least one second abutment surface on each side wall to abut when assembled to hold the end walls and side walls perpendicularly; andc) At least one locking connection between each end wall and the pair of side walls, the at least one locking connection comprising:i. at least one locking surface on the end wall and at least one second locking surface on the side walls to abut when in the assembled condition to hold the at least one abutment surface and at least one second abutment surface in abutment; andii. at least one biasing component provided between the base wall and at least one of the end walls or the side walls to bias the end wall or side wall away from the base wall in the assembled condition and depressible to move the locking surface and second locking surface out of abutment.

2. The folding transport container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base wall is rectangular to define a rectangular container.

3. The folding transport container as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising one or more mounting configurations provided on the base wall to mount the pair of opposed end walls to the base to be depressible and pivot or rotate about a mounting axis between the collapsed and assembled conditions4. The folding transport container as claimed in claim 3 further comprising one or more mounting configurations provided on the base wall to mount the pair of opposed sidewalls pivotally to the base wall to pivot or rotate about a mounting axis between the collapsed and assembled conditions.

5. The folding transport container as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the end walls are mounted on arms, each arm comprising an enlarged protrusion or similarprovided on a lower end to ride in a corresponding slot depression or opening in the facing side of the one or more mounting configurations.

6. The folding transport container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the side walls are mounted to the base wall on a raised mounting rib to space a lower end of each side wall above the upper surface of the base wall.

7. The folding transport container as claimed in claim 6 wherein the mounting rib is crenelated having a number of crenels separated by a number of merlons and a hinge provided in each crenel to mount the side wall relative to the mounting rib.

8. The folding transport container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each end wall comprises a lower edge spaced from an upper surface of the base wall and which provides an abutment surface against which the at least one biasing component imposes a biasing force when assembled.

9. The folding transport container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one abutment surface is provided as a rebate portion on or adjacent to each side edge of each end wall, on an inside of the end wall.

10. The folding transport container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one second abutment surface is provided on or adjacent to each end edge of the side wall.

11. The folding transport container as claimed in claim 10 wherein each second abutment surface is provided on an L-shaped return portion provided at an angle to a plane of the side wall with an inner surface of the return portion forming the second abutment surface.

12. The folding transport container as claimed in claim 11 further comprising one or more protrusions provided extending from the abutment surface on the end wall configured to be received at least partially into corresponding slot openings provided on the on the second abutment surface on the return portion of the side wall.

13. The folding transport container as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein the at least one locking connection comprises at least one locking opening provided on or relative to the second abutment surface and a corresponding hook member or structure provided on or relative to the abutment surface.

14. The folding transport container as claimed in claim 13 wherein the or each locking opening is a slot opening oriented vertically when the side wall is in the assembled condition.

15. The folding transport container as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the or each hook member or structure is oriented vertically when the end wall is in the assembled condition.

16. The folding transport container as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein a pair of hook members or structures, an upper hook member or structure and a lower hook member or structure are provided on each side edge, of both end walls.

17. The folding transport container as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16 wherein each hook member or structure is received within a corresponding locking opening and the biasing force of the at least one biasing component forces the hook member or structure into position against an inside surface of the locking opening to lock the hook member or structure to a periphery of the corresponding locking opening.

18. The folding transport container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one biasing component is provided between the base wall and each the end walls to bias the respective end wall away from the base wall in the assembled condition and is depressible to move the locking surface and the second locking surface out of abutment.

19. The folding transport container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one biasing component is provided coplanar with a plane of the end wall when the end wall is raised into the assembly condition, substantially perpendicular to the base wall with the at least one biasing component abutting a lower edge of the end wall when the end wall is raised into the assembly condition to bias the end wall away from the base wall.

20. The folding transport container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one biasing component is an arcuate member which is temporarily deformable when force is applied in line with the end wall.

21. The folding transport container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one biasing component is convex.

22. The folding transport container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20 wherein the at least one biasing component is convex.

23. The folding transport container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one biasing component further comprises a catch mechanism to retain the at least one biasing component on the base wall.

24. The folding transport container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 5 wherein the at least one biasing component exerts a biasing force to hold the end wall upwardly away from the base wall and the locking connection in the locked condition.

25. The folding transport container as claimed in claim 24 wherein in use, determined depression of the end wall temporarily deforms the at least one biasing component 10 to disengage the at least one locking connection, allowing folding of the end walls to overlie the base wall followed by folding of the side walls.

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