Collapsible container

Abstract

A container includes a plurality of walls extending upward from a base. At least one support is movable between a retracted position and a support position. At least one magnet urges the support into one of the retracted position and the support position.

1 . A container comprising:
 a base;   a plurality of walls extending upward from the base, the plurality of walls including a first wall and a second wall;   a support mounted to the first wall and movable relative to the first wall between a retracted position and a support position; and   at least one magnet on at least one of: the first wall, the second wall and the support; the at least one magnet urging the support toward one of the retracted position and the support position.   
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the at least one magnet urges the support toward the support position. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the at least one magnet is on the first wall. 
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the at least one magnet is on the second wall. 
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the at least one magnet is on the support. 
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of walls are collapsible onto the base. 
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the at least one magnet is a magnetized portion of the at least one of: the first wall, the second wall and the support. 
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the support is partially supported on the second wall in the support position. 
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the at least one magnet includes a first magnet on the support and a second magnet on the first wall. 
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the at least one magnet includes a first magnet on the support and a second magnet on the second wall. 
   
   
       11 . A method for operating a container including the steps of:
 a) moving a support between a support position in which another container could be supported thereon and a retracted position, wherein the support extends into a mouth of the container in the support position;   b) urging the support contrary to a magnetic field during said step a); and   c) releasing the support after said step b) to permit the support to be moved by the magnetic field toward one of the support position and the retracted position.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  further including the step of collapsing a plurality of walls of the container onto a base of the container.