Collapsible container

Abstract

A collapsible container for storing and transporting content is provided. The container has the strength to hold up to one hundred and fifty pounds of contents while being stacked up to eight high. The container may be loaded in a flattened configuration and then erected to enclose the contents. The container is also collapsible for ease of storage and transport. In some embodiments, the container includes wings that attach the end walls to the front and back walls and maintain the container in an upright configuration.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A collapsible container, the container comprising:
 a base comprising a stiffening panel and four sides;   four walls, each of the walls comprising a stiffening panel and attached to one of the four sides of the base, the four walls comprising a front wall, a back wall, and two end walls, wherein the four walls are configured to move between a position substantially in the same plane as the base and a position substantially perpendicular to the base; and   attachment devices configured to reversibly secure the end walls to the front wall and back wall when the four walls are in the position substantially perpendicular to the base.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the end walls comprise a first portion, a second portion, and a pair of wings, wherein the first portion is substantially the same height as the front wall and the back wall when the first portion, the front wall, and the back wall are positioned substantially perpendicular to the base. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the second portion is configured to fold over the base to a position substantially parallel to the base. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the pair of wings include an attachment device that is configured to reversibly mate with an attachment device on the front wall and the back wall when the second portion is positioned substantially parallel to the base. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container includes a girdle attached to two opposing walls, the girdle comprising a first material attached to a first wall and a second material attached to a second wall, wherein the first material and the second material are reversibly connectable. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the front wall defines a pocket between two pieces of material welded together, and wherein the back wall defines a pocket between two pieces of material welded together. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffening panel is selected from the group consisting of plywood, corrugated plastic, metal, and cardboard. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises a first lid portion attached to the back wall and a second lid portion attached to the front wall, wherein the first lid portion and the second lid portion 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the first lid portion and the second lid portion are configured to reversibly attach to one another. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the end walls comprise a seam between the first portion and the second portion and a stiffening panel in a pocket formed on either side of the central vertical seam. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein a tab connected to an exterior of each end wall across the seam prevents the second portion from extending into the container. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1  claims, further comprising an access door in at least one of the front wall and the back wall. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the access door is of a lower height than a wall on either side of the access door so that pressure is not exerted on the door when pressure is applied to a top edge of the four walls of the container. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the access door includes attachment means to secure the door in a closed position. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment device is selected from the group consisting of Velcro, adhesive, hook and loop fasteners, zippers, magnets, and buttons. 
     
     
         16 . A collapsible container, the container comprising:
 a base comprising a stiffening panel and four sides;   four walls, each of the walls comprising a stiffening panel and attached to one of the four sides of the base, the four walls comprising a front wall, a back wall, and two end walls, wherein the four walls are configured to move between a position substantially in the same plane as the base and a position substantially perpendicular to the base,   wherein the end walls comprise a first portion, a second portion, and a pair of wings, wherein the pair of wings is configured to reversibly attach to the front wall and the back wall when the first portion, the front wall, and the back wall are substantially perpendicular to the base.   
     
     
         17 . The collapsible container of  claim 16 , further comprising a first lid portion and a second lid portion, wherein the first lid portion is attached to the back wall and the second lid portion is attached to the front wall. 
     
     
         18 . The collapsible container of  claim 16 , further comprising a removable internal partition, wherein the removable internal partition divides the container into compartments when the front wall, back wall, and end walls are substantially perpendicular to the base. 
     
     
         19 . The collapsible container of  claim 16 , wherein container is movable between a substantially flattened configuration and a substantially rectangular configuration. 
     
     
         20 . A method for storing content in collapsible containers, the method comprising:
 providing a container, the container comprising a base, a front wall, a back wall, end walls, and means for supporting the container in an upright position;   loading content onto the container when the container is in a flattened configuration;   erecting the container in an upright position using the means for supporting the container in an upright position;   unloading the content from the container;   reversing the means for supporting the container in an upright position; and   collapsing the container.