A collapsible container

Abstract

A collapsible container is provided. Collapsible container includes a tray with a base panel having a perimeter which includes a front edge and a rear edge opposite each other, a left edge and a right edge opposite each other and extending from the front edge to the rear edge, a left wall and a right wall opposite each other and pivotally connected to the left edge and the right edge respectively, a rear wall pivotally connected to the rear edge and connected to the left wall and the right wall, a left rear connecting portion pivotally connected to a left end of the rear wall and the left wall and a right rear connecting portion pivotally connected to a right end of the rear wall and the right wall, such that the left wall and the right wall are adapted to recline toward the base panel into a collapsed position, causing the left rear connecting portion and the right rear connecting portion to recline the rear wall away from the base panel into a collapsed position and are adapted to be lifted into an upright position perpendicular to the base panel, causing the left rear connecting portion and the right rear connecting portion to lift the rear wall into an upright position perpendicular to the base panel, such that in the collapsed position, the left rear connecting portion and the right rear connecting portion are parallel to the rear panel and in the upright position, the left rear connecting portion and the right rear connecting portion are parallel to the rear panel, and a rear securing element adapted to secure the at least one of the left rear connecting portion and the right rear connecting portion parallel to the rear wall to maintain the rear wall, the left wall and the right wall in the upright position.

Description

A Collapsible ContainerTechnical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a collapsible container.Background

[0002] Containers used for container items, e.g. food, gifts, are take up unnecessary space and are bulky to transport and store. There are containers that are foldable and formed from blanks. Such blanks are compact and take up less volume. Hence, it is more cost effective to transport blanks that a formed container.

[0003] While the blanks are less space consuming, the time required to form the container from a blank can be rather time consuming and cumbersome. Typically, there arc many steps required to form the container from the blank. For example, a user has to fold each of the walls upright and secure each comer the walls to each other to form a tray before folding the cover onto the tray. If the container has to be assembled quickly and number of containers required are high due to business demand, the time taken to form the container can be cumulative high and takes away time from other areas of the business. Furthermore, when forming the container quickly, there is a high likelihood that the container may be damaged or creased.

[0004] It is thus an object of the present invention to improve or resolve the aforementioned problems.Summary

[0005] According to various embodiments, a collapsible container is provided. Collapsible container includes a tray with a base panel having a perimeter which includes a front edge and a rear edge opposite each other, a left edge and a right edge opposite each other and extending from the front edge to the rear edge, a left wall and a right wall opposite each other and pivotally connected to the left edge and the right edge respectively, a rear wall pivotally connected to the rear edge and connected to the left wall and the right wall, a left rear connecting portionpivotally connected to a left end of the rear wall and the left wall and a right rear connecting portion pivotally connected to a right end of the rear wall and the right wall, such that the left wall and the right wall arc adapted to recline toward the base panel into a collapsed position, causing the left rear connecting portion and the right rear connecting portion to recline the rear wall away from the base panel into a collapsed position and are adapted to be lifted into an upright position perpendicular to the base panel, causing the left rear connecting portion and the right real' connecting portion to lift the real' wall into an upright position perpendicular to the base panel, such that in the collapsed position, the left rear connecting portion and the right rear connecting portion are parallel to the rear panel and in the upright position, the left rear connecting portion and the right rear connecting portion are parallel to the rear panel, and a rear securing element adapted to secure the at least one of the left rear connecting portion and the right rear connecting portion parallel to the rear wall to maintain the rear wall, the left wall and the right wall in the upright position.

[0006] According to various embodiments, the rear securing element may include a left rear securing portion adapted to secure the left rear connecting portion parallel to the rear wall and a right rear securing portion adapted to secure the right rear connecting portion parallel to the rear wall.

[0007] According to various embodiments, the rear securing element may include a rear securing panel extending from the real' wall and foldable over at least one of the left rear connecting portion and the right rear connecting portion, such that when the rear securing panel is folded, at least one of the left rear connecting portion and the right rear connecting portion is secured parallel to the rear wall.

[0008] According to various embodiments, the rear securing panel may be a single panel extending from the left edge to the right edge of the base panel.

[0009] According to various embodiments, the rear securing element may include a rear engaging portion adapted to engage and secure the rear securing element to at least one of the left rear connecting portion and the right rear connecting portion.

[0010] According to various embodiments, the rear engaging portion may include a left rear engaging portion at one end of the rear securing element and a right rear engaging portion at another end of the rear securing element opposite the one end.

[0011] According to various embodiments, the at least one of the left rear connecting portion and the right rear connecting portion may include a rear receiving portion adapted to receive the real-engaging portion to secure the rear securing element.

[0012] According to various embodiments, the rear receiving portion may include a left rear receiving portion adapted to receive the left rear engaging portion and a right rear receiving portion adapted to receive the right rear engaging portion.

[0013] According to various embodiments, each of the left rear engaging portion and the right reai' engaging portion may include a flap and each of the left rear receiving portion and the right rear receiving portion may include a slot, such that the flap is adapted to be inserted into the slot to secure the rear securing element.

[0014] According to various embodiments, the collapsible container may further include a front wall pivotally connected to the front edge of the base panel, a left front connecting portion pivotally connected to the left wall and the front wall, a right front connecting portion pivotally connected to the right wall and the front wall, such that when the left wall and the right wall arc reclined toward the base panel into a collapsed position, the left front connecting portion and the right front connecting portion causes the front wall to recline away from the base panel into a collapsed position and when lifted into an upright position perpendicular to the base panel, the left front connecting portion and the right front connecting portion causes the front wall to be lifted into an upright position perpendicular to the base panel, such that in the collapsed position, the left front connecting portion and the right front connecting portion are parallel to the front wall and in the upright position, the left front connecting portion and the right front connecting portion arc parallel to the front wall, and a front securing clement adapted to secure the at least one of the left front connecting portion and the right front connecting portion parallel to the front wall to maintain the front wall, the left wall and the right wall in the upright position.

[0015] According to various embodiments, the front securing element may include a left front securing portion adapted to secure the left front connecting portion parallel to the front wall and a right front securing portion adapted to secure the right front connecting portion parallel to the front wall.

[0016] According to various embodiments, the front securing element may include a front securing panel extending from the front wall and foldable over at least one of the left front connecting portion and the right front connecting portion, such that when the front securing panel is folded, at least one of the left front connecting portion and the right front connecting portion is secured parallel to the front wall.

[0017] According to various embodiments, the front securing panel may be a single panel extending from the left edge to the right edge of the base panel.

[0018] According to various embodiments, the front securing element may include a front engaging portion adapted to engage and secure the front securing element to at least one of the left front connecting portion and the right front connecting portion.

[0019] According to various embodiments, the front engaging portion may include a left front engaging portion at one end of the front securing element and a right front engaging portion at another end of the front securing element opposite the one end.

[0020] According to various embodiments, the at least one of the left front connecting portion and the right front connecting portion may include a front receiving portion adapted to receive the front engaging portion to secure the front securing element.

[0021] According to various embodiments, the front receiving portion may include a left front receiving portion adapted to receive the left front engaging portion and a right front receiving portion adapted to receive the right front engaging portion.

[0022] According to various embodiments, each of the left front engaging portion and the right front engaging portion may include a flap and each of the left front receiving portion and theright front receiving portion may include a slot, such that the flap is adapted to be inserted into the slot to secure the front securing element.

[0023] According to various embodiments, the collapsible container may further include a cover pivotally connected to one of the walls and adapted to cover the tray.Brief Description of Drawings

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a collapsible container 100.

[0025] Fig. 2A-Fig. 2D show a perspective views of an embodiment of the collapsible container between the collapsed position and the upright position.

[0026] Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B show perspective views of an embodiment of the collapsible container before and after the securing elements secure the connecting portions.

[0027] Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B show perspective views of an embodiment of the collapsible container before and after the securing elements secure the connecting portions.

[0028] Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B show perspective views of an embodiment of the collapsible container before and after the securing elements secure the connecting portions.

[0029] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the collapsible container in Fig. 2 with a cover.

[0030] Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the collapsible container in Fig. 2 with a cover.

[0031] Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the collapsible container in Fig. 2 with a cover.

[0032] Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of the collapsible container in Fig. 2 with a cover.Detailed Description

[0033] In the following examples, reference will be made to the figures, in which identical features are designated with like numerals.

[0034] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a collapsible container 100. Collapsible container 100 includes a tray 110 with a base panel 112 having a perimeter 112P which includes a front edge 112F and a rear edge 112E opposite each other, a left edge 112L and a right edge 112R opposite each other and extending from the front edge 112F to the rear edge 112E, a left wall 114L and a right wall 114R opposite each other and pivotally connected to the left edge 112L and the right edge 112R respectively, a rear wall 114E pivotally connected to the rear edge 112E and connected to the left wall 114L and the right wall 114R, a left rear connecting portion 114CL pivotally connected to a left end 114EL of the rear wall 114E and the left wall 114L and a right rear-connecting portion 114CR pivotally connected to a right end 114ER of the rear wall 114E and the right wall 114R. Left wall 114L, right wall 114R and rear wall 114E as shown in Fig. 1 are in an upright position. Collapsible container 100 may be collapsed and is better shown in the embodiment in Fig. 2. Tray 110 includes a rear securing element 116R adapted to secure the at least one of the left rear connecting portion 114CL and the right rear connecting portion 114CR to be parallel to the rear wall 114E.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 1, the tray 110 may include at least three walls, i.e. left wall 114L, right wall 114R and real' wall 114E. Tray 110 may consist of four walls, i.e. left wall 214L, right wall 214R and rear wall 214E and front wall 214F as shown in Fig. 2D. In Fig. 1, the tray 110 may include a front wall 114F pivotally connected to the base panel 112. Tray 110 may include a left support panel 114SL pivotally connected to the left wall 114L and a right support panel 114SR pivotally connected to the right wall 114R. Left support panel 114SL and right support panel 114SR may adapted to be folded to align onto the front edge 112F to support the front wall 114F when it is in the upright position. Collapsible container 100 may include a cover 130 pivotally connected to the front wall 114F. It can be appreciated that the cover 130 may be pivotally connected to one of the left wall 114L, right wall 114R or rear wall 114E. Referring to Fig. 1, the front wall 114F may be lifted and rotated onto the left support panel 114SL and right support panel 114SR. Thereafter, the cover 130 may be rotated onto the other panels 114L,114E, 114R to cover the tray 110. Collapsible container 100 as shown in Fig. 1 iserected from a collapsed position, which will be described in the following embodiments. While the number of walls between the embodiments in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2D are different, the way the walls of the embodiments manoeuvre between the collapsed and upright positions is the same and can be better shown in Fig. 2A-Fig. 2D. Collapsible container 100 may also be known as an erectable container. Collapsible container 100 may be used to container food, gifts, products, etc.

[0036] Fig. 2A-Fig. 2D show a perspective views of an embodiment of the collapsible container 200 between the collapsed position and the upright position. Collapsible container 200 may be made in the collapsed position and transported to the location for containing an item. When in use, the collapsible container 200 may be erected into the upright position to contain the item. In this way, it is easier and less bulky to transport and store the collapsible container 200.

[0037] Fig. 2A shows a perspective view of the collapsible container 200 in a collapsed position. In the collapsed position, the left real' connecting portion 214CL and the right rear connecting portion 214CR are parallel to the rear wall 214E. As shown in Fig. 1, in the upright position, the left real' connecting portion 114CL and the right real' connecting portion 114CR arc parallel to the rear panel 114E. While it is described that the left rear connecting portion 214CL and the right rear connecting portion 214CR are parallel to the rear wall 214E in the collapsed position, it is understood that the left rear connecting portion 214CL and the right rear connecting portion 214CR may be substantially parallel or angled at a small angle from the rear wall 214E due to the rigidity of the material. Referring to Fig. 2A, the left rear connecting portion 214CL and the right rear connecting portion 214CR may be folded and in contact with the rear wall 214E when the collapsible container 200 is in the collapsed position. In the collapsed position, the left wall 214L and the right wall 214R may be parallel to the base panel 212. Similarly, the left wall 214L and the right wall 214R may be substantially parallel to the base panel 212. Rear wall 214E may extend from the left edge 212L to the right edge 212R of the base panel 212. Rear securing element 216R may be as long as the rear wall 214E.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 2B, the left wall 214L and the right wall 214R are adapted to recline toward the base panel 212 into a collapsed position as shown in Fig. 2A, causing the left rearconnecting portion 214CL and the right rear connecting portion 214CR to recline the rear wall 214E away from the base panel 212 into the collapsed position. To erect the collapsible container 200 into the upright position, the left wall 214L and the right wall 214R arc adapted to be lifted into the upright position perpendicular to the base panel 212, causing the left rear connecting portion 214CL and the right rear connecting portion 214CR to lift the rear wall 214E into the upright position perpendicular to the base panel 212. Collapsible container 200 may include a left rear ear 214LE which includes the left real' connecting portion 214CL and a left rear attaching portion 214LA pivotally connected to the left rear connecting portion 214CL and attached to the left end 214EL of the rear wall 214E. Left rear ear 214LE may be extended from the left wall 214L and attached to the rear wall 214E. Left rear ear 214LE may include a left rear folding line 214LF dividing the left rear connecting portion 214CL and the left rear attaching portion 214LA such that the left rear ear 214LE is foldable along the left rear folding line 214LF. Alternatively, the left rear connecting portion 214CL may be directly connected to the rear' wall 214E. Collapsible container 200 may include a right rear ear 214RE which includes the right rear connecting portion 214CR and a right rear attaching portion 214RA pivotally connected to the right rear connecting portion 214CR and attached to the right end 214ER of the rear wall 214E. Right rear car 214RE may be extended from the right wall 214R and attached to the rear wall 214E. Right rear ear 214RE may include a right rear folding line 214RF dividing the right rear connecting portion 214CR and the right rear attaching portion 214RA such that the right rear ear 214RE is foldable along the right rear folding line 214RF. Alternatively, the right rear connecting portion 214CR may be directly connected to the rear wall 214E. While it is shown that a wall in the upright position is perpendicular to the base panel 212, it may be appreciated that the walls may not be exactly perpendicular and walls that are non-perpendicular to the base panel 212 and not coplanar with the base panel 212 may also be con idered to be upright.[0039J Fig. 2C shows a perspective view of the collapsible container 200 in Fig. 2A being formed. As shown in Fig. 2C, the real' securing element 216R may include a left rear securing portion 216RL adapted to secure the left rear connecting portion 214CL parallel to the rear wall 214E and a right rear securing portion 216RR adapted to secure the right rear connecting portion 214CR parallel to the rear wall 214E. Rear wall 214E has a rear top edge 214ET where the rear securing element 216R is extended from. When secured, the left rear connecting portion 214CL and the right rear connecting portion 214CR may be held against the rear wall214E. Left rear connecting portion 214CL may include a left rear top edge 214LT and when in the upright position, the left rear top edge 214LT may be aligned with the rear top edge 214ET. Right rear connecting portion 214CR may include a right rear top edge 214RT and when in the upright position, the right rear top edge 214RT may be aligned with the rear top edge 214ET. When the rear securing element 216R is folded, the left rear edge 112E and the right rear edge 112E may abut against the rear securing element 216R and fixedly holds the left rear connecting portion 214CL and right real-connecting portion 214CR, which in turns fixedly maintains the left wall 214L and the right wall 214R in the upright position.

[0040] Rear securing element 216R may include a rear securing panel extending from the rear wall 214E, such that the rear securing panel may be foldable over at least one of the left rear connecting portion 214CL and the right rear connecting portion 214CR, such that when the rear securing panel is folded (as shown in Fig. 2D), at least one of the left rear connecting portion 214CL and the right rear connecting portion 214CR is secured parallel to the rear wall 214E. Rear securing panel may be a single panel extending from the left edge 212L to the right edge 212R of the base panel 212.

[0041] Real' securing element 216R may include a real' engaging portion 218 adapted to engage and secure the rear securing element 216R to at least one of the left rear connecting portion 214CL and the right rear connecting portion 214CR. Rear engaging portion 218 may include a left rear engaging portion 218L at one end 216EL of the rear securing element 216R and a right rear engaging portion 218R at another end 216ER of the rear securing element 216R opposite the one end 216EL.

[0042] The at least one of the left rear connecting portion 214CL and the right rear connecting portion 214CR may include a rear receiving portion 220 adapted to receive the rear engaging portion 218 to secure the rear securing clement 216R. Rear receiving portion 220 may include a left rear receiving portion 220L adapted to receive the left rear engaging portion 218L and a right rear receiving portion 220R adapted to receive the right rear engaging portion 218R. Left rear receiving portion 220L may be disposed within the left rear connecting portion 214CL and the right rear receiving portion 220R may be disposed within the right rear connecting portion 214CR.

[0043] Each of the left rear engaging portion 218L and the right rear engaging portion 218R may include a flap and each of the left rear receiving portion 220L and the right rear receiving portion 220R may include a slot, such that the flap is adapted to be inserted into the slot to secure the rear securing element 216R.

[0044] Fig. 2D shows a perspective view of the collapsible container 200 in Fig. 2 A in the upright position. Rear securing element 216R is adapted to secure the at least one of the left rear connecting portion 214CL and the right rear connecting portion 214CR parallel to the rear wall 214E to maintain the rear wall 214E, the left wall 214L and the right w'all 214R in the upright position. As shown in Fig. 2D, the left rear folding line 214LF may extend from a left rear comer 212LC formed by the rear edge 212E and the left edge 212L diagonally towards a corner 214LC (see Fig. 2C) of the left rear ear 214LE diagonally opposite the left rear comer 212LC. When the left rear ear 214LE is attached to the rear wall 214E, the left rear attaching portion 214LA may be adjacent the base panel 212 and the left rear connecting portion 214CL may be folded towards or away from the base panel 212 when transiting between the upright and collapsed positions. Similarly, the right rear folding line 214RF may extend from a right rear-comer 212RC formed by the rear' edge 212E and the right edge 212R diagonally towards a corner 214RC (sec Fig. 2C) of the right rear car 214RE diagonally opposite the right rear corner 212RC. When the left rear ear 214LE is attached to the rear wall 214E, the left rear attaching portion 214LA may be adjacent the base panel 212 and the left rear connecting portion 214CL may be folded towards or away from the base panel 212 when transiting between the upright and collapsed positions. When the right rear ear 214RE is attached to the rear w'all 214E, the right rear attaching portion 214RA may be adjacent the base panel 212 and the right rear connecting portion 214CR may be folded towards or away from the base panel 212 when transiting between the upright and collapsed positions.

[0045] When the left rear connecting portion 214CL and the right rear connecting portion 214CR are disposed against the rear wall 214E, the rear securing element 216R may be folded over the left real' connecting portion 214CL and the right real' connecting portion 214CR and disposed against them. At least one of the left rear engaging portion 218L may engage the left reai' connecting portion 214CL and the right real' engaged portion may engage the right rearconnecting portion 214CR to secure the rear securing element 216R onto the left rear connecting portion 214CL and the right rear connecting portion 14CR respectively. Preferably, the left rear engaging portion 218L and the right rear engaging portion 218R arc sized to be within the left rear connecting portion 214CL and the right rear connecting portion 214CR respectively. When the rear securing element 216R is folded over the left rear connecting portion 214CL and the right rear connecting portion 214CR, the fold improves the rigidity and strength of the rear wall 214E. As shown in Fig. 2D, the rear securing element 216R may include a height that is a portion of the height of the rear wall 214E. Rear securing element 216R may have a height that is less than the height of the of the rear wall 214E. Rear securing element 216R may have a height that is between the rear top edge 2 MET and the left rear receiving portion 220L or the right rear receiving portion 220R. In this way, the material used to secure the left rear connecting portion 214CL and the right rear connecting portion 214CR is kept to a minimal to reduce the use of material.

[0046] The collapsible container may be formed in the following steps. First, to form the collapsible container 200 from the collapsed to upright position, the left wall 14L and right wall 214R may be lifted from the collapsed position to the upright position. In the process, the left rear connecting portion 214CL and the right rear connecting portion 214CR may lift the rear wall 214E from the collapsed position into the upright position. If the collapsible container 200 includes the front wall 214F, the left front connecting portion 214FL and right front connecting portion 214FR may lift the front wall 214F from the collapsed position into the upright position. At this stage, the left rear connecting portion 214CL and right rear connecting portion 214CR may be parallel and in contact with the rear wall 214E. Similarly, the left front connecting portion 214FL and right front connecting portion 214FR may be parallel and in contact with the front wall 214F. Next, the rear securing element 216R may be folded inwardly onto the left rear connecting portion 214CL, the right rear connecting portion 214CR and the rear wall 214E and the left rear engaging portion 218L and the right rear engaging portion 218R may engage the left real' receiving portion 220L and right rear receiving portion 220R respectively. Similarly, the front securing clement 216F may be folded inwardly onto the left front connecting portion 214FL, the right front connecting portion 214FR and the front wall 214F and the left front engaging portion 222L and the right front engaging portion 222R may engage the left front receiving portion 224L and right front receiving portion 224R respectively. Once engaged, the walls are rigidly secured to each other and in the uprightposition. To transform the collapsible container 200 from the upright position to the collapsed position, the reverse in the abovementioned steps may be carried out. As shown, the collapsible container 200 can be formed quickly in a few simple steps and reduces the time taken to form the container 200. Further, the container 200 is easy to be formed and not easily damaged or creased.

[0047] Referring to Fig. 2B, the collapsible container 200 may include a front wall 214F opposite the rear' wall 214E and connected to the left wall 214L and right wall 214R. Front wall 214F may be a mirror image of the rear wall 214E. As such, the features and configuration of the rear wall 214E and with respect to the left wall 214L and right wall 214R as described above arc applicable to the front wall 214F. Front wall 214F may be pivotally connected to the front edge 212F of the base panel 212. Tray 210 may include a left front connecting portion 214FL pivotally connected to the left wall 214L and the front wall 214F, a right front connecting portion 214FR pivotally connected to the right wall 214R and the front wall 214F, such that when the left wall 214L and the right wall 214R are reclined toward the base panel 212 into a collapsed position, the left front connecting portion 214FL and the right front connecting portion 214FR causes the front wall 214F to recline away from the base panel 212 into a collapsed position and when lifted into an upright position perpendicular to the base panel 212, the left front connecting portion 214FL and the right front connecting portion 214FR causes the front wall 214F to be lifted into an upright position perpendicular to the base panel 212. In the collapsed position, the left front connecting portion 214FL and the right front connecting portion 214FR are parallel to the front wall 214F and in the upright position, the left front connecting portion 214FL and the right front connecting portion 2 MFR arc parallel to the front wall 214F, and a front securing element 216F adapted to secure the at least one of the left front connecting portion 214FL and the right front connecting portion 2 MFR parallel to the front wall 214F to maintain the front wall 214F, the left wall 214L and the right wall 214R in the upright position.

[0048] Front securing element 216F may include a left front securing portion 216FL adapted to secure the left front connecting portion 214FL parallel to the front wall 214F and a right front securing portion 216FR adapted to secure the right front connecting portion 2 MFR parallel to the front wall 214F.

[0049] Front securing element 216F may include a front securing panel extending from the front wall 214F and foldable over at least one of the left front connecting portion 214FL and the right front connecting portion 2 MFR, such that when the front securing panel is folded, at least one of the left front connecting portion 214FL and the right front connecting portion 2 MFR is secured parallel to the front wall 214F.

[0050] Front securing panel may be a single panel extending from the left edge 212L to the right edge 212R of the base panel 212. Front securing panel may be of the same length as the front wall 214F.

[0051] Front securing element 216F may include a front engaging portion 222 adapted to engage and secure the front securing element 216F to at least one of the left front connecting portion 214FL and the right front connecting portion 2 MFR.

[0052] Front engaging portion 222 may include a left front engaging portion 222L at one end 216FA of the front securing element 216F and a right front engaging portion 222R at another end 216FB of the front securing element 216F opposite the one end 216FA.

[0053] The at least one of the left front connecting portion 214FL and the right front connecting portion 214FR may include a front receiving portion 224 adapted to receive the front engaging portion 222 to secure the front securing element 216F.

[0054] Front receiving portion 224 may include a left front receiving portion 224L adapted to receive the left front engaging portion 222L and a right front receiving portion 224R (refer to Fig. 2A) adapted to receive the right front engaging portion 222R.

[0055] Each of the left front engaging portion 222L and the right front engaging portion 222R may include a flap and each of the left front receiving portion 224L and the right front receiving portion 224R may include a slot, such that the flap is adapted to be inserted into the slot to secure the front securing element 216F.

[0056] Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B show perspective views of an embodiment of the collapsible container 300 before and after the securing elements 316R.316F secure the connecting portions 314CL,314CR. Features of the collapsible container 300 arc identical to Fig. 2 except that the left rear engaging portion 318L, right rear engaging portion 318R, left front engaging portion 322L and right front engaging portion 322R may include magnetic studs and the left rear connecting portion 314CL (not shown in Fig. 3B), the right rear connecting portion 314CR, the left front connecting portion 314FL and the right front connecting portion (not shown in Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B) may include a magnetic metal or vice versa, such that the left rear engaging portion 318L and right rear engaging portion 318R may be magnetically attached to the left rear connecting portion 314CL and the right rear connecting portion 314CR respectively and the left front engaging portion 322L and right front engaging portion 322R may be magnetically attached to the left front connecting portion and the right front connecting portion respectively as shown in Fig. 3B.

[0057] Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B show perspective views of an embodiment of the collapsible container 400 before and after the securing elements 416R.416F secure the connecting portions 414CL,414CR. Features of the collapsible container 400 are identical to Fig. 2 except that the left rear engaging portion 418L, right rear engaging portion 418R, left front engaging portion 422L (not shown in the figures) and right front engaging portion 422R (not shown in the figures) each may include a binding element 426 adapted to bind the left rear engaging portion 418L, the right rear engaging portion 418R, the left front engaging portion 422L and right front engaging portion 422R to the left real' connecting portion (not shown in Fig. 4B), the right rear connecting portion 414CR, the left front connecting portion (not shown in the figures), and the right front connecting portion (not shown in the figures) respectively as shown in Fig. 4B. As shown in Fig. 4B, the binding element 426 may penetrate the rear wall 414E and the front wall 414F and bind the left rear engaging portion 418L and the right rear engaging portion 418R to the rear wall 414E and the left front engaging portion 422L and the right front engaging portion 422R to the front wall 414F. Further, the collapsible container 400 differs from the embodiment in Fig. 2 such that the left rear connecting portion 414CL, the right rear connecting portion 414CR, the left front connecting portion and the right front connecting portion do not include the left rear receiving portion, the right rear receiving portion, the left front receiving portion and the right front receiving portion respectively. Binding element may include a staple, a pin, etc..

[0058] Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B show perspective views of an embodiment of the collapsible container 500 before and after the securing elements 516R,516F secure the connecting portions. Features of the collapsible container 500 are identical to Fig. 4 except that the binding elements may include, as shown in Fig. 5B, a fastener adapted to fasten the left rear engaging portion 518L and the right rear engaging portion 518R through the left rear connecting portion 514CL (not shown in Fig. 5B) and the right rear connecting portion 514CR respectively to the rear wall 514E and to fasten the left front engaging portion 522L (not shown in Fig. 5B) and the right front engaging portion 522R (not shown in Fig. 5B) through the left front connecting portion (not shown in the figures) and the right front connecting portion (not shown in the figures) respectively to the front wall 514F. Each of the left rear engaging portion 518L, right rear engaging portion 518R, left front engaging portion and right front engaging portion, left rear connecting portion 514CL, right rear connecting portion 514CR, left front connecting portion, right front connecting portion may include an aperture 528 and the real' wall 514E and front wall 514F may include two apertures 528 such that the apertures 528 in the left rear engaging portion 518L, left rear connecting portion 514CL and one of the apertures 528 in the rear wall 514E, the apertures 528 in the right rear engaging portion 518R, right rear connecting portion 514CR and another of the apertures 528 in the rear wall 514E, the apertures 528 in the left front engaging portion, left front connecting portion and one of the apertures 528 in the front wall 514F, the right front engaging portion, right front connecting portion and another of the apertures 528 in the front wall 514F are aligned when the engaging portions engage the connecting portions to allow the binding elements to pass through them to secure the engaging portions to the connecting portions.

[0059] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the collapsible container 600 in Fig. 2 with a cover 630. Cover 630 may be pivotally connected to one of the rear wall 614E, front wall 614F, left wall 614L or right wall 614R. Collapsible container 600 in Fig. 6 is shown with the cover 630 pivotally connected to the right wall 614R.

[0060] Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the collapsible container 700 in Fig. 2 with a cover 730. Collapsible container 700 as shown in Fig. 2 may include a two-part cover pivotally connected to opposite walls and adapted to cover the tray 710. For example, as shown in Fig.7, the cover 730 may a left side cover 730L pivotally connected to the left wall 714L and aright side cover 730R pivotally connected to the right wall 714R. When covered, the left side cover 730L and the right side cover 730R may cover the tray 710 completely.

[0061] Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the collapsible container 800 in Fig. 2 with a cover 830. Cover 830 may be detached from the tray 810.

[0062] Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of the collapsible container 900 in Fig. 2 with a cover 930. Cover 930 may include a sleeve, such that the tray 910 may be adapted to be slotted into the sleeve to be covered.

[0063] A skilled person would appreciate that the features described in one example may not be restricted to that example and may be combined with any one of the other examples.

[0064] The present invention relates to a collapsible container generally as herein described, with reference to and / or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Claims

Claim1. A collapsible container comprising:a tray comprising,a base panel having a perimeter comprising a front edge and a rear edge opposite each other, a left edge and a right edge opposite each other and extending from the front edge to the rear' edge,a left wall and a right wall opposite each other and pivotally connected to the left edge and the right edge respectively, a rear wall pivotally connected to the rear edge and connected to the left wall and the right wall, a left rear connecting portion pivotally connected to a left end of the rear wall and the left wall and a right rear connecting portion pivotally connected to a right end of the rear wall and the right wall,wherein the left wall and the right wall are adapted to recline toward the base panel into a collapsed position, causing the left rear connecting portion and the right rear connecting portion to recline the rear wall away from the base panel into a collapsed position and arc adapted to be lifted into an upright position perpendicular to the base panel, causing the left rear connecting portion and the right rear connecting portion to lift the rear wall into an upright position perpendicular to the base panel,wherein in the collapsed position, the left rear connecting portion and the right rear connecting portion are parallel to the rear panel and in the upright position, the left rear connecting portion and the right rear connecting portion are parallel to the rear panel, and a rear securing element adapted to secure the at least one of the left rear connecting portion and the right rear connecting portion parallel to the rear wall to maintain the rear' wall, the left wall and the right wall in the upright position.

2. The collapsible container according to claim 1, wherein the rear securing element comprises a left rear securing portion adapted to secure the left rear connecting portion parallel to the rear wall and a right rear securing portion adapted to secure the right rear connecting portion parallel to the rear wall.

3. The collapsible container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rear securing element comprises a rear securing panel extending from the rear wall and foldable over at least one of the left rear connecting portion and the right rear connecting portion, wherein when the rear securing panel is folded, at least one of the left rear connecting portion and the right rear connecting portion is secured parallel to the rear wall.

4. The collapsible container according to claim 3, wherein the rear securing panel is a single panel extending from the left edge to the right edge of the base panel.

5. The collapsible container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rear securing element comprises a rear engaging portion adapted to engage and secure the rear securing element to at least one of the left rear connecting portion and the right rear connecting portion.

6. The collapsible container according to claim 5, wherein the rear engaging portion comprises a left rear engaging portion at one end of the rear securing element and a right rear engaging portion at another end of the rear securing element opposite the one end.

7. The collapsible container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one of the left real' connecting portion and the right real' connecting portion comprises a real' receiving portion adapted to receive the rear engaging portion to secure the rear securing element.

8. The collapsible container according to claim 7, wherein the rear receiving portion comprises a left rear receiving portion adapted to receive the left rear engaging portion and a right rear receiving portion adapted to receive the right rear engaging portion.

9. The collapsible container according to claim 6 or 8, wherein each of the left rear engaging portion and the right rear engaging portion comprises a flap and each of the left rear receiving portion and the right rear receiving portion comprises a slot, wherein the flap is adapted to be inserted into the slot to secure the rear securing element.

10. The collapsible container according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a front wall pivotally connected to the front edge of the base panel, a left front connecting portion pivotally connected to the left wall and the front wall, a right front connecting portion pivotally connected to the right wall and the front wall, wherein when the left wall and the right wall are reclined toward the base panel into a collapsed position, the left front connecting portion and the right front connecting portion causes the front wall to recline away from the base panel into a collapsed position and when lifted into an upright position perpendicular to the base panel, the left front connecting portion and the right front connecting portion causes the front wall to be lifted into an upright position perpendicular to the base panel, wherein in the collapsed position, the left front connecting portion and the right front connecting portion are parallel to the front wall and in the upright position, the left front connecting portion and the right front connecting portion are parallel to the front wall, and a front securing element adapted to secure the at least one of the left front connecting portion and the right front connecting portion parallel to the front wall to maintain the front wall, the left wall and the right wall in the upright position.

11. The collapsible container according to claim 10, wherein the front securing element comprises a left front securing portion adapted to secure the left front connecting portion parallel to the front wall and a right front securing portion adapted to secure the right front connecting portion parallel to the front wall.

12. The collapsible container according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the front securing element comprises a front securing panel extending from the front wall and foldable over at least one of the left front connecting portion and the right front connecting portion, wherein when the front securing panel is folded, at least one of the left front connecting portion and the right front connecting portion is secured parallel to the front wall.

13. The collapsible container according to claim 12, wherein the front securing panel is a single panel extending from the left edge to the right edge of the base panel.

14. The collapsible container according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the front securing element comprises a front engaging portion adapted to engage and secure the front securing element to at least one of the left front connecting portion and the right front connecting portion.

15. The collapsible container according to claim 14, wherein the front engaging portion comprises a left front engaging portion at one end of the front securing clement and a right front engaging portion at another end of the front securing element opposite the one end.

16. The collapsible container according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the at least one of the left front connecting portion and the right front connecting portion comprises a front receiving portion adapted to receive the front engaging portion to secure the front securing element.

17. The collapsible container according to claim 16, wherein the front receiving portion comprises a left front receiving portion adapted to receive the left front engaging portion and a right front receiving portion adapted to receive the right front engaging portion.

18. The collapsible container according to claim 15 or 17, wherein each of the left front engaging portion and the right front engaging portion comprises a flap and each of the left front receiving portion and the right front receiving portion comprises a slot, wherein the flap is adapted to be inserted into the slot to secure the front securing element.

19. The collapsible container according to claim 1 to 18, further comprising a cover pivotally connected to one of the walls and adapted to cover the tray.

Images