"fish crate" collapsible container for transporting fresh fish

Abstract

The invention is a collapsible container for transporting fresh fish or the like, in particular ice-cooled goods or foodstuffs. This “fish crate” is essentially manufactured by means of plastic injection molding, i.e. by injection-molding the side walls and the base of the collapsible container using an injection-molding tool. In particular the four side walls are implemented to be double-walled, a closed air cushion being created by welding on a footing after the injection molding process. In the area of the slightly tray-shaped base, openings for the passage of liquid are provided; in particular, the melt water of the ice-cooled fresh fish is to be drained off to the outside. Besides these base openings, further additional openings which join the base and the side walls in a foldable manner may be provided in the area of the hinges.

1 . A collapsible container for transporting fresh fish or similar ice-cooled goods,
 the collapsible container including side walls and a base, wherein   the side walls and/or the base comprise a double-walled structure comprising a closed air cushion, and   the base has a tray shape including vertical strips, wherein the base is drawn slightly upward for the side walls;   hinges to which the foldable side walls are hinged are provided at the vertical strips;   lateral openings arranged to permit passage of liquid are provided in the base, the lateral openings are spaced away from the hinges; and   the base comprises, apart from the lateral openings and/or additional openings in the area of the hinges, a closed base design.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base is arranged to permit liquid from the base of the collapsible container to be drained to outside such that the liquid will be prevented from draining out from the base into another container arranged below the collapsible container when the collapsible container is stacked upon the another container. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein only the side walls, but not the base, comprise the double-walled implementation comprising the closed air cushion. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the double-walled implementation comprising the air cushion is created by a core in injection molding. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible container as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the air cushion is closed by a welded-on footing. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein additional openings are provided adjacent to hinges which are arranged to join the base and the side walls in a foldable manner. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the openings may be closed off as desired so as to prevent draining of liquid. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a so-called liftlock closure is provided to lock the side walls in an upright orientation, and the liftlock closure may be released without causing any damage by movement of the liftlock closure or by knocking into at least one of the side walls. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible container is stackable such that a collapsible container of the same type may be placed upon it in a non-slip manner. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the side walls are closed and/or the base is closed. 
     
     
         11 . The collapsible container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the side walls may be folded onto the base. 
     
     
         12 . The collapsible container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lateral openings are arranged at four corners of the collapsible container and spaced away from the hinges. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the side walls comprise long side walls and short side walls, and wherein the base is drawn slightly upward both for the long side walls and the short side walls.