Container

Abstract

A collapsible container includes a plurality of walls collapsible onto the base. At least one wall has a support pivotably mounted to an upper end portion thereof. The support is pivotable between a support position, where it is partially supported on an adjacent wall and a retracted position. In the retracted position, the wall can be pivoted downward onto the base, with a portion of the support passing through a channel formed on the interior of the adjacent wall.

1 . A container comprising: 
 a base having opposed long edges and opposed short edges;    a first wall pivotably mounted to one of the opposed short edges of the base;    an adjacent wall adjacent the first wall, the support supported by the first wall and the adjacent wall in the support position; and    a support pivotably mounted to the first wall and pivotable about an axis generally parallel to the base, the support pivotable between a support position and a retracted positions, wherein the support includes a laterally-extending projection, the projection contacting the adjacent wall to support the support in the support position, wherein the adjacent wall includes a channel on an interior surface thereof, the projection disposed in the channel as the first wall and the support are pivoted relative to the base toward a collapsed position on the base.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the support is a flap pivotable between the retracted position generally parallel to the first wall and the support position generally transverse to the first wall.  
   
   
       3 . (canceled)  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the support is a flap having a lower end pivotably attached to an upper portion of the first wall, wherein the support is pivotable between the retracted position generally parallel to the first wall and the support position generally transverse to the first wall.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 4  wherein the first wall and the support are collapsible onto the base when the support is in the retracted position.  
   
   
       6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the channel is an upper channel through an upper frame portion, the interior surface of the adjacent wall further including a lower channel through a lower frame portion and a recess between the upper frame portion and the lower frame portion, the projection passing through the upper channel, the recess and the lower channel as the first wall and the support are pivoted relative to the base to a collapsed position on the base.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 4  wherein the support includes a stop member contacting the first wall and limiting pivoting motion of the support relative to the first wall when the support is in the retracted position.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 4  wherein the support extends upward from an upper edge of the first wall when the support is in the retracted position.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 1  further including a hinge pivotably connecting the support to the first wall.  
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the support includes a locating feature projecting upwardly from the support when the support is in the support position.  
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the support is pivotably and slidably mounted to the first wall.  
   
   
       14 . A container comprising: 
 a base;    a first wall mounted to the base and movable between an upright position and a collapsed position;    a second wall adjacent the first wall and movable between an upright position and a collapsed position on top of the first wall; and    a flap mounted to an upper end portion of the first wall, the flap movable between a first position supported on the second wall and a second position extending upwardly from an upper edge of the first wall.    
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 14  wherein the flap and the first wall are movable to the collapsed position when the flap is in the second position.  
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 14  wherein the flap is generally parallel to the first wall when the flap is in the second position.  
   
   
       17 . A container comprising: 
 a base;    a first wall mounted to the base and movable between an upright position and a collapsed position;    a second wall adjacent the first wall and movable between an upright position and a collapsed position, the second wall including a channel on an interior surface thereof, and    a support mounted to an upper end portion of the first wall and including a laterally-extending portion, the support movable between a first position where the laterally-extending portion is supported on the second wall and a second position where the laterally-extending portion of the flap can pass through the channel of the second wall as the first wall is pivoted to the collapsed position.    
   
   
       18 . The container of  claim 17  wherein the support is slidable and pivotable relative to first wall.  
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 18  wherein the support is at least partially retractable into the first wall.  
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 17  wherein the support is at least partially retractable into the first wall.  
   
   
       21 . The container of  claim 17  wherein the channel is an arcuate channel.  
   
   
       22 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the channel is an arcuate channel.  
   
   
       23 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the channel includes an upper opening into which the projection is received as the first wall is pivoted from an upright position toward the collapsed position.  
   
   
       24 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the projection does not extend through the adjacent wall.  
   
   
       25 . The container of  claim 14  wherein the support includes a stop member contacting the first wall when the support is in the second position and preventing further pivoting motion of the support relative to the first wall.  
   
   
       26 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the adjacent wall is collapsible onto the first wall when the first wall is in the collapsed position on the base.