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 is pivotably connected to a first wall such that it can extend further into a mouth of the container.

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; and   a support mounted to the first wall and movable relative to the first wall between a retracted position and a support position, wherein the first wall is pivotable toward a collapsed position on the base when the support is in the support position relative to the first wall.   
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the second wall includes an arcuate channel formed on interior surface, an end of the support extending into the channel. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 2  wherein the end of the support moves in the channel as the first wall is pivoted toward a collapsed position on the base. 
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 3  wherein the support extends further into a mouth of the container when the support is in the support position than when the support is in the retracted position. 
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 4  wherein the support is pivotably mounted to the first wall and pivotable relative to the first wall between the support position and the retracted position. 
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 5  wherein the support is pivoted to the retracted position when the first wall is collapsed onto the base. 
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 6  wherein the support in the retracted position contacts a surface of the second wall as the first wall is pivoted away from the upright position thereby moving the support to the support position. 
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 4  wherein the second wall includes at least one upward projection adjacent the channel, the end of the support including a downward projection interlocking behind the at least one upward projection as the first wall is moved toward the collapsed position on the base. 
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the support is partially supported on the second wall in the support position. 
   
   
       10 . 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 each pivotable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the base; and   a support movable relative to the first wall between a retracted position and a support position, the support extending further into a mouth of the container when the support is in the support position than when the support is in the retracted position, wherein the first wall is pivotable to a position between the upright position and the collapsed position while the support is in the support position relative to the first wall.   
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the support is pivoted by the second wall to the retracted position as the first wall is collapsed onto the base. 
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the support is pivotable relative to the first wall about a pivot axis and wherein an upper support surface of the support is lower than the pivot axis when the support is in the support position. 
   
   
       13 . A method for using a collapsible container having a base, a first wall and a second wall, and a support mounted to the first wall, the method including the steps of:
 a) moving the support from a retracted position toward an interior of the container to a support position; and   b) while the support is in the support position, moving the first wall from an upright position toward a collapsed position on the base.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further including the step of moving the support to the retracted position as the first wall is moved into the collapsed position on the base, wherein the support is generally parallel to the first wall when the support is in the retracted position. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the support is moved to the support position by contact with the second wall as the first wall is moved from the upright position toward the collapsed position.