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. The support may include a contact surface that is angled inwardly into the container for support an upper container thereon. The support may include a tab projecting upwardly from an exterior edge of the support to help retain the upper container on the support.

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 contact surface on an upper surface of the support, the at least one contact surface angled inwardly toward the interior of the container when the support is in the support position.   
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of walls are collapsible onto the base. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the support is partially supported on the second wall in the support position. 
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the container is a lower container with an upper container stacked thereon, the upper container stacked on the support of the lower container, the upper container having a lower contact surface angled downwardly toward the interior of the lower container, the lower contact surface abutting the at least one contact surface. 
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the support further includes at least one tab projecting upwardly from an exterior portion of the support. 
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 5  wherein the support includes a back rail extending along the exterior portion of the support, the at least one tab projected upwardly from the back rail. 
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 4  wherein the upper container includes a vertical external surface adjacent a curved surface leading to an underside of the upper container, the support further includes at least one tab projecting upwardly from an exterior portion of the support, the at least one tab abutting the vertical exterior surface of the upper container. 
   
   
       8 . 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 tab projecting upwardly from an exterior portion of the support.   
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 8  wherein the plurality of walls are collapsible onto the base. 
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 8  wherein the support includes a back rail extending along the exterior portion of the support, the at least one tab projected upwardly from the back rail. 
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 8  wherein the support is partially supported on the second wall in the support position. 
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 8  further including at least one contact surface on an upper surface of the support, the at least one contact surface angled inwardly toward the interior of the container when the support is in the support position. 
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 12  wherein the container is a lower container with an upper container stacked thereon, the upper container stacked on the support of the lower container, the upper container having a lower contact surface angled downwardly toward the interior of the lower container, the lower contact surface abutting the at least one contact surface. 
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 13  wherein the upper container includes a vertical external surface adjacent a curved surface leading to an underside of the upper container, the at least one tab abutting the vertical exterior surface of the upper container. 
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 8  wherein the first wall includes a lip extending from an uppermost edge of the first wall toward an interior of the container, the lip including at least one opening for accommodating the at least one tab when the support is in the retracted position.