Container

Abstract

A collapsible container includes a plurality of walls collapsible onto the base. At least one wall has a support for supporting a second container thereon. The support is pivotably mounted to or integrally formed with an upper end portion of at least one wall. The pivotably mounted support includes a support structure that 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. The integrally formed support includes a support structure that is at least partially received within a support channel formed in the base when the container is in the collapsed position.

1 . A container comprising: 
 a base having opposed long edges and opposed short edges;    a first wall pivotably mounted to one of the edges of the base, wherein the first wall is pivotable between an upright position and a collapsed position; and    a support extending from the first wall, the support including a support structure positioned inward of the first wall.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the support is pivotable about an axis generally parallel to the base, the support pivotable between a support position and a retracted position.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 2 , further including a hinge pivotably connecting the support to the first wall.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the support includes a locating feature projecting upwardly from the support when the support is in the support position.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the support is pivotably and slidably mounted to the first wall.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 2 , 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.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 2 , further including an adjacent wall adjacent the first wall, the support supported by the first wall and the adjacent wall in the support position.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 7 , 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.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the first wall and the support are collapsible onto the base when the support is in the retracted position.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the support includes a laterally-extending tab, the tab contacting the adjacent wall to support the support in the support position.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the adjacent wall includes a channel on an interior surface thereof, the tab passing through the channel as the first wall and the support are pivoted relative to the base to a collapsed position on the base.  
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 11 , 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 tab 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.  
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 5 , 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.  
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein the support extends upward from an upper edge of the first wall when the support is in the retracted position.  
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the support is formed integrally with an upper end portion of the first wall.  
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the support structure extends inward from the first wall.  
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the support structure is located a distance below an upper edge of the upper end portion of the first wall.  
   
   
       18 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein the support structure is substantially parallel to the base when the first wall is in the upright position.  
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 18 , wherein base further includes at least one support channel formed therein for receiving at least a portion of the support structure when the first wall is in the collapsed position.  
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein the second wall of the container includes at least one channel formed therein for receiving at least a portion of a support structure of a second container in a collapsed position stacked thereon.  
   
   
       21 . 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.    
   
   
       22 . The container of  claim 21 , wherein the flap is moveable between a first position supported on the second wall and a second position extending upwardly from an upper edge of the first wall.  
   
   
       23 . The container of  claim 22 , wherein the flap and the first wall are movable to the collapsed position when the flap is in the second position.  
   
   
       24 . The container of  claim 23 , wherein the flap is generally parallel to the first wall when the flap is in the second position.  
   
   
       25 . The container of  claim 21 , wherein the flap is formed integrally with an upper edge of the first wall.  
   
   
       26 . The container of  claim 21 , wherein the base further includes at least one support channel formed therein for receiving at least a portion of the support structure when the first wall is in the collapsed position.  
   
   
       27 . The container of  claim 26 , wherein the second wall of the container includes at least one channel formed therein for receiving at least a portion of a support structure of a second container in a collapsed position stacked thereon.  
   
   
       28 . 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 a surface thereof, and    a support mounted to an upper end portion of the first wall and including a laterally-extending portion.    
   
   
       29 . The container of  claim 28 , wherein channel is formed in an interior surface and the support is 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.  
   
   
       30 . The container of  claim 29 , wherein the support is slidable and pivotable relative to first wall.  
   
   
       31 . The container of  claim 30 , wherein the support is at least partially retractable into the first wall.  
   
   
       32 . The container of  claim 30 , wherein the support is at least partially retractable into the first wall.  
   
   
       33 . The container of  claim 28 , wherein the support is fixedly mounted to the first wall.  
   
   
       34 . The container of  claim 33 , wherein the laterally-extending portion is located a distance below an upper edge of the upper end portion of the first wall.  
   
   
       35 . The container of  claim 34 , wherein the laterally-extending portion is substantially parallel to the base when the first wall is in the upright position.  
   
   
       36 . The container of  claim 35 , wherein the base further includes at least one support channel formed therein for receiving at least a portion of the laterally-extending portion when the first wall is in the collapsed position.  
   
   
       37 . The container of  claim 36 , wherein the channel is formed in an exterior surface of the second wall, the channel receiving at least a portion of a support of a second container in a collapsed position and stacked thereon.