Foldable Crate

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a collapsible crate (10) comprising a base member (12), a front wall (20) pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a front edge of the base member, a rear wall (18) pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a rear edge of the base member, a first side wall (14) pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a first side edge of the base member, and a second side wall (16) pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a second side edge of the base member, and locking mechanisms disposed at a top of each of the side walls configured to restrain engaging side edges of the side walls and adjacent side edges of the front and rear walls, respectively.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a collapsible crate. [Background technology]

[0002] The following documents are considered relevant as background to the subject matter of the present disclosure: - U.S. Patent No. 7,861,878 - U.S. Patent No. 8,511,506 - U.S. Patent No. 9,016,492 - U.S. Patent No. 9,540,138

[0003] Acknowledgement of the above documents in this specification should not be inferred as meaning that they are in any way relevant to the patentability of the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0004] No. 7,861,878 discloses a fastening device for a foldable box, the foldable box comprising a bottom and four side walls joined in a joint manner to the edges of the bottom, two opposing walls having respective fastening devices for ensuring the unfolding of the box, the device generally comprising a vertically displaceable central piece and several horizontally displaceable lateral bolts for fastening the side walls via their adjacent edges. The foldable device comprises an elastic spring element connecting the central control piece and a pair of bolts, the spring element simultaneously maintaining the bolts in the engaged and fastened position in the rest position, and in the released position of the bolts, the spring element pulls the bolts towards the released position against the resistance of the elastic element.

[0005] In US Patent No. 8,511,506, a shipping case 1 is provided with a hinged side section made of plastic, whereby the height of the hinged side section is more than a centimeter or the load capacity of the shipping case is more than 16 kilograms, and a small window-type hollow reinforcing strip is present in the hinged side section. The reinforcing strip formed by liquid injection has a surface roughness of less than 10 micrometers.

[0006] U.S. Patent No. 9,016,492 discloses a crate including a bottom, two end walls, and two side walls. The end walls and side walls are configured to be foldable relative to the bottom. The end walls and side walls include respective latch elements that engage with each other to form a latch when the end walls and side walls are in an unfolded state. An unlatch mechanism is provided on each end wall or each side wall, and the unlatch mechanism and / or the latch element on each wall are configured to be movable to extend at least partially above a top edge of the crate to unlatch.

[0007] US Patent No. 9,540,138 relates to a plastic foldable storage and transport container, which comprises a bottom and four foldable side walls articulated on the bottom. Two opposing first side walls are releasably engageable with two other opposing second side walls. The container also comprises a cover and means for fixedly sealing the cover to the container. The bottom, formed by a bottom frame and a bottom plate, comprises at least two inwardly open and outwardly closed recesses along each frame side, said recesses having lateral bore holes extending parallel to the frame sides of the bottom frame. The recesses are used to receive molded parts formed in the first and second side walls with lugs extending parallel to the lower edges of the side walls. The lugs can be inserted into the lateral bore holes of the recesses and rotated therein to form hinged connections between the bottom and the side walls. The cover is formed by two cover halves connected to the opposing side walls of the container by cover hinges. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a foldable crate comprising a base member, a front wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a front edge of the base member, a rear wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a rear edge of the base member, a first side wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a first side edge of the base member, and a second side wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a second side edge of the base member, and locking mechanisms disposed on upper portions of each of the side walls and configured to restrain engaging side edges of the side walls and adjacent side edges of the front and rear walls, respectively, wherein the foldable crate is configurable between an upright position in which the four walls are disposed in an upright position and a folded position in which the four walls are disposed parallel on the base member.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a foldable crate comprising a base member, a first side wall pivotally articulated along a bottom edge thereof to a first side edge of the base member, a second side wall opposite the first side wall and pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a second side edge of the base member, a front wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to an upper edge of a raised front segment extending to a front edge of the base member, and a rear wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to an upper edge of a raised rear segment extending to a rear edge of the base member, opposite the front wall, and a locking mechanism disposed at an upper portion of each of the side walls and configured to respectively restrain an engaging side edge of the side wall and an adjacent side edge of the front wall and rear wall, the foldable crate being configurable between an upright position in which the four walls are disposed in an upright position and a folded position in which the four walls are disposed parallel on the base member.

[0010] The terms "side wall", "front wall" and "rear wall" are used merely for convenience, it being understood that a side wall can constitute a front wall and a rear wall, respectively, mutatis mutandis, and vice versa.

[0011] According to a particular configuration of the present disclosure, the locking mechanism includes a locking bar pivotally movable along its longitudinal axis, the locking bar extending into a locking bar receiving groove disposed across the top of the side wall, the locking bar including radially projecting locking tabs at each end that extend beyond side edge portions of the side wall, and a locking bar operating portion for pivotally operating the locking bar about its longitudinal axis between locked and unlocked positions; Each of the front and rear walls includes a locking tab restraining portion at a top side edge portion configured with a locking tab path and a locking tab obstruction arrangement, and in an upright position, an opening of the locking tab path extends opposite the locking tab; In the locked position, the locking tab is obstructed and prevented from displacing through the opening in the locking tab path, and in the unlocked position, the locking tab is free to displace through the opening in the locking tab path.

[0012] Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations may be applied separately or in various combinations thereof to any one or more of the aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure: - the side walls are of equal height, the front wall being shorter than the rear wall, however, in the upright position, all four walls extend to the same height and have equal levelled, coextensive and continuous upper edges; - In the upright position, the upper edges of the side walls and the front and rear walls are coextensive; - in the upright position, the side walls are disposed between the rear wall and the front wall; - The raised posterior segments may be higher than the raised anterior segments; - The thickness of the base member + the thickness of the side walls + the thickness of the rear wall + the thickness of the front wall may be equal to the height of the raised rear segment; - The thickness of the base member + the thickness of the side walls + the thickness of the front wall may be equal to the height of the raised front segment; - the raised front segment may have the same height as the raised rear segment, where the height of the front wall plus the height of the rear wall is equal to or less than the width of the side wall; In the folded position, the first side wall and the second side wall may be disposed flush on the base member; - in the folded position, the rear wall and the front wall overlap each other and the side walls can overlap; - in the folded position, the rear wall and the front wall can be placed flush on the side walls, where the height of the front wall plus the height of the rear wall is equal to or less than the width of the side walls; - the anterior sidewall is shorter than the posterior sidewall and the raised anterior segment is longer than the raised posterior segment; - the height of the anterior sidewall + the height of the raised anterior segment is equal to the height of the posterior wall + the height of the raised posterior segment; - The crate may have a rectangular shape; - The crate can be made of molded plastic material; - The width of the crate may be equal to or exceed twice the height of the side walls; - the crates can be stacked on top of similar crates in the upright and folded positions; - carrying handles may be located at the top of at least one pair of opposing walls; - the side edges of the front and rear walls may be configured with longitudinal lips, such that in the upright position the longitudinal lips overlap adjacent side edges of the adjacent side walls; - a cross-section of the locking tab has a first axis and a second axis that intersects the first axis, the first axis being longer than the second axis, and in the locked position, the second axis faces the opening of the locking tab path (i.e., is aligned with the locking tab path), and in the unlocked position, the second axis faces the opening of the locking tab path; - the first axis is disposed at approximately 90° to said second axis; - the operating part of the locking bar is a handle-like part extending laterally from the bar and located outside the outer surface of the side wall; - in the locked position, said handle-like portion extends substantially flush with the outer surface of the side wall; - the handle-like portion may be configured with a grip portion, wherein in the locked position, the grip portion extends into a carrying handle opening of the crate; - in the locked position the locking bar is restrained, thereby preventing unintentional displacement from the locked position; - The locking bar can be restrained in the locked position by a snap-lock arrangement; - a snap-lock arrangement may be configured between the handle-like portion and the carrying handle opening of the crate; - in the unlocked position, said handle-like portion projects laterally from an outer surface of the side wall; - the locking tab obstruction arrangement comprises at least one locking tab obstruction member projecting into the locking tab path; - the locking tab obstruction arrangement comprises a first locking tab obstruction member and a second locking tab obstruction member opposed to one another; - an entrance to the locking tab pathway may be configured with one or more sliding surfaces to facilitate smooth displacement of the locking tab into the locking tab restraining portion; - The diameter of the locking bar may be smaller than the width of the locking tab passage opening; - The width of the locking tab may be similar to or smaller than the diameter of the locking bar; - the length of the locking tab along the first axis may be greater than the height of the restraining portion; - the locking bar may be partially constructed with a rounded cross section; - the locking bar can be snap-fit ​​received into a locking bar receiving groove in the top of the side wall; - In the locked position, the operating part of the locking bar can be integrated into part of the carrying handle, thereby making the crate easier to transport; - the locking bar is configured to simultaneously lock the side wall with the adjacent rear and front walls; An interconnection arrangement may be configured between the side edges of the two side walls and the adjacent side edges of the rear wall and the front wall, respectively. - the interconnecting arrangement can be a plurality of lateral L-shaped projections from the edges of the side walls, the plurality of lateral L-shaped projections facing outwardly and configured to be captured within respective openings disposed along the lateral edges of the rear / front walls upon displacement of the respective side walls to an upright position; The side edges of the rear and front walls may be configured with edges protruding laterally in the longitudinal direction, said edges resting against the edges of the adjacent side walls in the upright position.

[0013] In order to better understand the subject matter disclosed herein and to illustrate how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a crate in an upright position according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 2A] 2A is a cross-section taken along line 2A-2A of FIG. 1. [Figure 2B] 2B is a cross-section taken along line 2B-2B of FIG. 1. [Figure 2C] 2C is a local cross-section taken along line 2C-2C of FIG. 2A, showing the hinged first side wall in an upright position. [Figure 2D] 2D is a local cross-section taken along line 2D-2D of FIG. 2A, showing the hinged rear wall in the upright position. [Figure 2E] FIG. 2C is the same local cross section as in FIG. 2C, but in the folded position. [Figure 2F] FIG. 2E shows the same local cross section as in FIG. 2D, but in the folded position. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of the portion marked 3 in FIG. 2A, with the rear wall of the crate removed for clarity. [Figure 4A] FIG. 2 is a left side perspective view of the crate of FIG. 1 with the front and left side walls removed. [Figure 4B] FIG. 13 is a close-up view of the upper right corner of the rear wall illustrating a locking tab restraint portion according to one example of the present disclosure. [Figure 5A-5B] 1A-1D are front (inner) and rear (outer) perspective views, respectively, of a locking bar according to one example of the present disclosure. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6 is an enlarged outer corner view of the portion designated 6A in FIG. [Figure 6B] FIG. 4B is an inside corner view in the direction of arrow Z of FIG. 4A showing the locking mechanism in a locked position. [Figure 6C] FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6C-6C of FIG. 6A, showing the locking mechanism in a locked position. [Figure 6D] FIG. 6B is an exploded view of the portion seen in FIG. 6A. [Figure 6E] This is a local cross section taken along line 6E-6E. [Figure 7A-7B] 6B and 6C, respectively, but showing the locking mechanism in an unlocked position. [Figure 8A] 2 shows the right-hand portion of the crate of FIG. 1 with the front and rear walls removed and the locking bar in the unlocked position. [Figure 8B] 8B is a cross-section taken along line 8B-8B of FIG. 8A with the base member of the crate removed. [Figure 8C] FIG. 8C is an enlarged view of the portion indicated as 8C in FIG. 8B. [Figure 9A] 2 shows the crate of FIG. 1 in a fully collapsed position. [Figure 9B] 9B is a cross-section taken along line 9B-9B of FIG. 9A. [Figure 9C] FIG. 9C is a plan view of FIG. 9B. [Figure 9D] 9D is a cross-section taken along line 9D-9D of FIG. 9A. [Figure 9E] FIG. 9E is a plan view of FIG. 9D. [Figure 10] 10A-10C are sequential steps illustrating the displacement of the locking bar between the locked and unlocked positions. [Figure 11] 11A-11F are sequential steps illustrating the folding of a crate according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] 1-4A, which are directed to a foldable crate, generally designated 10, according to one example of the present disclosure. Crate 10 has a rectangular shape and its components are made from a molded plastic material.

[0016] Crate 10 includes a base member 12 connected to and extending upwardly from base member 12 in an upright position with four side walls: a first (right) side wall 14, a second (left) side wall 16, a rear wall 18, and a front wall 20.

[0017] A height S extending integrally with the rear edge of the base member 12 b 1 and 2. The base member 12 has a raised rear segment 24 of height S and a raised front segment 26 extending integrally with the front edge of the base member 12. As will be described below, the raised rear segment 24 has a height S f higher than the raised front segment 26 of b >S f ).

[0018] As best seen in Figures 2C and 2E, the side walls 14, 16 are pivotally articulated to the base member 12 along the side edges of the base member 12 via hinge portions 28 integral with the bottom edges of the side walls 14, 16 and hinge portions 30 integral with the side edges of the base member 12, thus omitting the axle-type hinges, although other hinge arrangements are possible (not shown). Similarly, as best seen in Figures 2D and 2F, the rear wall 18 is pivotally articulated along the top edge of the raised rear segment 24 via hinge portion 34 integral with the bottom edge of the rear wall and hinge portion 35 integral with the side edges of the raised rear segment 24. The front wall 20 (best seen in Figure 9A) is pivotally articulated along the top edge of the raised rear segment 26 via hinge portion 36. The containing hinge portions 28 and 34 are open so that the respective walls 14 , 16 , 18 and 20 can be removed from the base member 12 .

[0019] 2D and 2F, the hinge arrangement of the rear and front walls 18, 20 is such that, in the upright position, a bottom, outwardly facing, inverted L-shaped portion 40 of the rear / front walls 18, 20 rests against an upright shoulder portion 42 extending from the raised rear segment 24. This arrangement supports the walls 18, 20 in the upright position and prevents their pivotal displacement of more than 90°.

[0020] It should be noted that the side walls 14 and 16 are of equal length, and the front wall 20 is shorter than the rear wall 18, however, in the upright position the four walls extend to the same height, are equally horizontal, are coextensive, and have a continuous upper edge 19. Thus, as can be seen in FIG. 2B, the height h of the rear wall 18 is b and the height of the front wall 20 h f The height difference between the raised rear segment 24 and the b and the height S of the raised front segment 26 f is equal to the difference between (h b -h f =S b -S f ).

[0021] Each of the four walls has an opening 33 formed therein which serves as a carrying handle for transporting the crate.

[0022] Attention is now directed to Figures 6A, 6D, 6E and 8A which show the interconnection arrangement between side edges 45 of the two side walls 14 and 16 and adjacent side edges 47 of the rear wall 18 and front wall 20, respectively. Side edges 45 thus have outwardly facing, transverse L-shaped projections 48 which are configured to be captured within respective openings 50 located along side edges 47 upon displacement of the respective side walls into an upright position, as will be described below.

[0023] As also described (best seen in Figures 6A, 6C-6E and 7B), side edges 47 of rear wall 18 and front wall 20 are configured with longitudinally laterally projecting edges 54 which, in the upright position, rest against edge portions 45 of the adjacent side walls.

[0024] As described herein above, the four walls 14, 16, 18 and 20 are pivotally articulated to respective portions of the base member 12 such that the walls are displaceable between an upright position (FIGS. 1-4A and 10A-10C) and a fully collapsed position (FIGS. 9A-9E and 11F).

[0025] To hold the crate 10 in an upright and stable position, a locking mechanism is provided which is adapted to restrain mating side edges of the side walls and adjacent side edges of the front and rear walls, respectively. Thus, a locking bar 60 (seen in isolation in Figs. 5A and 5B) is provided which includes a cylindrical portion 67 which is snap-fit ​​received within a locking bar receiving groove 65 disposed across the top of each of the side walls 14 and 16. The locking bar 60 includes radially projecting locking tabs 66 at each end thereof which extend beyond the side edge portions 45 of the side walls 14, 16, and a handle-shaped locking bar operating portion 68 for rotatably operating the locking bar about its longitudinal axis between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking tabs 66 are oriented in a first direction about the first axis X. 1 and the first axis X 1The second axis, X, that intersects with 2 (FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6C, and 7B), the first axis being longer than the second axis (X 1 >X 2 ). The locking bar 60 is rotatable on its longitudinal axis through at least 90° between a locked position and an unlocked position, as will be described below.

[0026] The top side edge portion 47 of each of the rear wall 18 and the front wall 20 is provided with a locking tab restraining portion 70 configured with a locking tab path (along arrow 72) and a locking tab obstruction arrangement, i.e., a top wall obstruction 76 and a bottom ridge 78, having a sliding surface 82 for facilitating smooth displacement of the locking tab 66 into the locking tab restraining portion 70. The distance D in the locking tab path between the obstructing members 76 and 78 is X 2 is greater than the length of axis X 1 is smaller than the length of (X 2 >D>X 1 ).

[0027] This arrangement is such that in the upright position, the opening of the locking tab passage 72 extends opposite the locking tab 66, and in the unlocked position (FIGS. 7A and 7B), the locking tab 66 is disposed horizontally, i.e., aligned with the first axis X 1 is horizontally disposed such that the locking tab 66 is free to displace along the locking path 72 through the opening into the locking tab restraining portion 70. However, in the locked position (FIGS. 6B and 6C), the first axis X of the locking tab 66 is 1 4. intersects locking tab path 72 and, once received within locking tab restraint portion 70, locking tab 66 is prevented from displacement because it is obstructed by obstruction members 76 and 78.

[0028] Additionally, the locking bar 60 can be restrained in the locked position by a snap-lock arrangement comprising ridges 83, 85 (in the operating handle portion 68) and 87 which are snap-lockable by corresponding ridges in the sidewall for positive displacement of the locking bar 60, with ridge 85 being restrained by its lip 89 (FIG. 3) within the opening 33 (the carrying handle) to restrain the locking bar 60 in the locked position. Notably, in the locked position, the operating handle portion 68 of the locking bar 60 merges within the opening 33 in the sidewall so as to form part of the carrying handle when the crate is displaced.

[0029] 9A-9E show crate 10 according to the present disclosure in a folded position, where first side wall 14 and second side wall 16 are flush and at the same height over top surface 13 of base member 12, front wall 20 rests flat and at the same height over side walls 14 and 16, rear wall 18 rests flat and at the same height over a portion of front wall 20, and walls 14, 16, 18 and 20 and base 12 are partially folded.

[0030] However, if the height of the front wall plus the height of the rear wall is equal to or less than the width of the side wall (not shown) than the front wall, the rear wall can extend flush above the side walls 14 and 16 in the folded position.

[0031] The thickness of the base member 12 + the thickness of the side walls 14, 16 + the thickness of the rear wall 18 + the thickness of the front wall 20 is the height S of the raised rear segment 24. b and the thickness of the base member 12 plus the thickness of the side walls 14, 16 plus the thickness of the front wall 20 is equal to the height S of the raised front segment 26. f It can be seen that it is equal to

[0032] 10A-11F illustrate the sequential steps for erecting / folding the crate 10 of the present disclosure. For example, assuming the crate 10 is in its upright, locked position (FIGS. 10A and 11A), the first step is to unlock the locking mechanism by pivoting / displacing the locking bar operating portion 68 outward in the direction of arrow 90 (FIGS. 10B and 10C) and overriding the snap ridge 78. In so doing, the locking tabs 66 are displaced to an unlocked position (FIGS. 7A and 7B) and facilitate the side walls 14 and 16 folding toward each other in the direction of arrow 94 (FIGS. 11B-11C) until they rest flush and at the same height on the base member 12 (FIG. 11D). Next, front wall 20 is pivotally folded in the direction of arrow 96 (FIG. 11E) until it rests flush above side walls 14 and 16, and then rear wall 18 is pivotally folded in the direction of arrow 98 (FIG. 11E) until it rests flush above front wall 20 (FIG. 11F), where the crate assumes a flat, compact position (FIG. 11F).

[0033] Uprighting the crate 10 is accomplished by the reverse sequence of operations.

Claims

1. a base member, a front wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a front edge of said base member, a rear wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a rear edge of said base member, a first side wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a first side edge of said base member, and a second side wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a second side edge of said base member, and locks disposed on top of each of said side walls and configured to restrain mating side edges of said side walls and adjacent side edges of said front wall and said rear wall, respectively; a locking mechanism, the foldable crate being configurable between an upright position in which the four walls are positioned upright and a folded position in which the four walls are positioned parallel to the base member, the locking mechanism comprising a locking bar pivotable along its longitudinal axis, the locking bar extending into locking bar receiving grooves positioned across the tops of the side walls, and the locking bar having radially projecting ends at each end that extend beyond side edge portions of the side walls. and a locking bar operating portion for pivotally operating the locking bar about its longitudinal axis between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein each of the front and rear walls includes a locking tab restraining portion at a top side edge portion configured with a locking tab path and a locking tab obstruction arrangement, wherein in an upright position, an opening in the locking tab path extends opposite the locking tab, and in the locked position, the locking tab is obstructed and prevented from displacing through the opening in the locking tab path, and in the unlocked position, the locking tab is free to displace through the opening in the locking tab path, and the locking bar operating portion is configured to have a grip portion extending laterally from the bar and disposed outwardly of an outer surface of the side wall, and wherein in the locked position, the grip portion extends into a carrying handle opening of the collapsible crate.

2. A foldable crate as described in claim 1, wherein the front wall is rotatably articulated along its bottom edge to the upper edge of a raised front segment extending to the front edge of the base member, and the rear wall is rotatably articulated along its bottom edge to the upper edge of a raised rear segment extending to the rear edge of the base member.

3. 2. The collapsible crate of claim 1, wherein the side walls are of equal height and the front wall is shorter than the rear wall, but in the upright position, the four walls extend to the same height and have equal, leveled, coextensive, continuous upper edges.

4. 2. The collapsible crate of claim 1, wherein in the upright position, the upper edges of the side walls and the front and rear walls are coextensive.

5. The collapsible crate of claim 1 , wherein in an upright position, the side walls are disposed between the rear wall and the front wall.

6. The collapsible crate of claim 2 , wherein the raised rear segment is higher than the raised front segment.

7. 3. The collapsible crate of claim 2, wherein the sum of the thickness of the base member, the thickness of the side walls, the thickness of the rear wall, and the thickness of the front wall is equal to the height of the raised rear segment.

8. 3. The collapsible crate of claim 2, wherein the sum of the thickness of the base member, the thickness of the side walls, and the thickness of the front wall is equal to the height of the raised front segment.

9. 3. The foldable crate of claim 2, wherein the raised front segment has the same height as the raised rear segment, and wherein the sum of the height of the front wall and the height of the rear wall is equal to or less than the width of the side walls.

10. The collapsible crate of claim 1 , wherein in the collapsed position, the first side wall and the second side wall are disposed flush on the base member.

11. The collapsible crate of claim 1 , wherein in the collapsed position, the front wall extends flush above the side walls.

12. The collapsible crate of claim 1 , wherein in the collapsed position, one or both of the rear wall and the front wall extend flush above the front wall.

13. 2. The foldable crate of claim 1, wherein in the folded position, the rear wall and the front wall are positioned flush on the side walls, with the sum of the height of the front wall and the height of the rear wall being equal to or less than the width of the side walls.

14. 3. The collapsible crate of claim 2, wherein the front sidewall is shorter than the rear sidewall and the raised front segment is longer than the raised rear segment.

15. 3. The collapsible crate of claim 2, wherein the sum of the height of the front sidewall and the height of the raised front segment is equal to the sum of the height of the rear wall and the height of the raised rear segment.

16. 10. The collapsible crate of claim 1, wherein the width of the collapsible crate is equal to or greater than twice the height of the side walls.

17. The collapsible crate of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible crate is configured to stack on top of similar crates in an upright position and a collapsed position.

18. The collapsible crate of claim 1 , wherein carrying handles are configured on the tops of at least one pair of opposing walls.

19. 2. The collapsible crate of claim 1, wherein side edges of the front and rear walls are configured with longitudinal lips such that, in the upright position, the longitudinal lips overlap adjacent side edges of adjacent side walls.

20. 2. The collapsible crate of claim 1, wherein a cross section of the locking tab has a first axis and a second axis intersecting the first axis, the first axis being longer than the second axis, and wherein in the locked position, the second axis faces an opening of the locking tab path, and in the unlocked position, the second axis faces an opening of the locking tab path.

21. 21. The collapsible crate of claim 20, wherein the first axis is disposed at approximately 90 degrees relative to the second axis.

22. 2. The collapsible crate of claim 1, wherein in the locked position, the locking bar is snap-restrained, thereby preventing unintentional displacement from the locked position.

23. The collapsible crate of claim 1 , wherein the locking bar is restrainable in the locked position by a snap-lock arrangement.

24. 24. The collapsible crate of claim 23, wherein the snap-lock arrangement is configured between the handle-like portion and a carrying handle opening of the collapsible crate.

25. The collapsible crate of claim 1 , wherein in the unlocked position, the handle-like portion projects laterally from an outer surface of the side wall.

26. The collapsible crate of claim 1 , wherein the locking tab obstruction arrangement comprises at least one locking tab obstruction member projecting into the locking tab path.

27. The collapsible crate of claim 1 , wherein the locking tab obstruction arrangement comprises opposing first and second locking tab obstruction members.

28. 2. The collapsible crate of claim 1, wherein an entrance to the locking tab path is configured with one or more sliding surfaces to facilitate smooth displacement of the locking tab into the locking tab restraining portion.

29. The collapsible crate of claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the locking tab is less than the width of the opening of the locking tab path.

30. 2. The collapsible crate of claim 1, wherein the width of the locking tab is the same as or smaller than the diameter of the locking bar.

31. The collapsible crate of claim 1 , wherein the length of the locking tab along the first axis is greater than the height of the restraining portion.

32. 2. The collapsible crate of claim 1, wherein the locking bar is snap-fit ​​received within the locking bar receiving groove at the top of the side wall.

33. 33. The collapsible crate of claim 32, wherein in the locked position, the locking bar operating portion merges with a portion of the carrying handle of the collapsible crate, thereby facilitating transport of the collapsible crate.

34. The collapsible crate of claim 1 , wherein the locking bar is configured to simultaneously lock the side wall with the adjacent rear and front walls.

35. The collapsible crate of claim 1 , wherein an interconnection arrangement is formed between side edges of the two side walls and adjacent side edges of the rear wall and front wall, respectively.

36. 36. The collapsible crate of claim 35, wherein the interconnecting arrangements are a plurality of lateral L-shaped protrusions from the edges of the side walls, the plurality of lateral L-shaped protrusions facing outward and configured to be captured within respective openings disposed along the side edges of the rear / front walls when the respective side walls are displaced to an upright position.

37. 2. The collapsible crate of claim 1, wherein the side edges of the rear wall and the front wall are configured with longitudinally extending edges that rest against edges of adjacent side walls in the upright position.

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