Sidewall configuration for a collapsible container

Abstract

The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and way for folding a shipping container in order to improve assembly and sealing of the shipping container. A foldable shipping container is provided having an overlapped region where adjacent walls are rotated into position and locked together.

1 . A collapsible container assembly comprising:
 a roof panel having a front panel and a door panel each rotatably coupled thereto, the roof panel having a pair of skirts extending a first distance perpendicular from the roof panel;   a base panel having a pair of side panels rotatably coupled thereto, the pair of side panels generally parallel to the pair of skirts and extending a second distance;   a plurality of lever latch assemblies comprising:
 a lever arm having a first end and an opposing second end; 
 a lever latch having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the lever latch rotatably coupled to the lever arm; 
 a locking tab coupled to the second end of the lever latch, the locking tab comprising an arm coupling portion coaxial with the lever latch, and a plate coupling portion located perpendicular to the lever arm; 
 a base hinge coupled to the second end of the lever arm; and, 
 one or more capture plates having a recessed opening sized to receive the locking tab; and, 
   one or more seals positioned between the pair of skirts and the pair of side panels;   wherein the pair of skirts overlap and contact the pair of side panels and the plurality of lever latch assemblies secure the side panels to the skirts of the roof panel.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more capture plates are secured to the pair of skirts. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible container assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the lever arm and lever latch are secured to the pair of side panels. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of the skirt contacts an outer surface of the side panel through the one or more seals. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible container assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a front skirt extending from the roof panel and oriented generally perpendicular to the pair of skirts, the front skirt having a front skirt tubing. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible container assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the front panel has a wall tubing secured to the front panel such that the wall tubing is adjacent the front skirt tubing when the front panel is perpendicular relative to the roof panel and base panel. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lever latch assemblies are adjustable in order to maintain a seal between the skirts and the side panels. 
     
     
         8 . A method of sealing a collapsible container in an assembled state comprising:
 providing a container having a roof panel with a front panel and a door panel each rotatably coupled thereto, the roof panel having a pair of skirts extending a first distance perpendicular from the roof panel and a base panel having a pair of side panels rotatably coupled thereto, the pair of side panels generally parallel to the pair of skirts and extending a second distance;   raising the roof panel away from the base panel;   raising the pair of side panels such that an outer surface of the side panels contacts an inner surface of the skirts through one or more seals; and,   securing the side panels to the skirts such that the outer surface of the side panels remain in contact with the skirts.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the collapsible container assembly further comprises a front panel and door panel, each hingedly coupled to the roof panel. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein upon raising the roof panel away from the base panel, the front panel rotates to a perpendicular orientation relative to the roof panel such that wall tubing of the front panel is adjacent to front skirt tubing of a front skirt, thereby sealing a front panel to the front skirt. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the pair of side panels are secured to the base panel along an edge and rotate about the edge. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the securing of the side panels to the skirts occurs by engaging a lever latch in a capture plate, where the capture plate is secured to the skirt. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising adjusting a tension between the lever latch and the capture plate in order to seal the side panel against the skirt. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the skirts prevent the side panels from rotating generally beyond perpendicular relative to the base panel. 
     
     
         15 . A sealing mechanism for a collapsible container comprising:
 a side panel of the collapsible container having a first contact surface;   a skirt extending away from a roof panel of the collapsible container, the skirt having a second contact surface;   one or more sealing mechanisms positioned between the first contact surface and the second contact surface; and,   a mechanism for securing the side panel to the skirt, the mechanism providing a way of adjusting tension in order to tighten the skirt against the side panel;   wherein at least a portion of the first contact surface overlaps at least a portion of the second contact surface.   
     
     
         16 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 15 , wherein the first contact surface is an external surface of the side panel and the second contact surface is an internal surface of the skirt. 
     
     
         17 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 15  comprises a plurality of lever latches removably coupled to a corresponding plurality of capture plates. 
     
     
         18 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of lever latches is secured to the side panel and extends toward the skirt. 
     
     
         19 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more sealing mechanisms comprise one or more compressible gaskets. 
     
     
         20 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 15 , wherein the overlap extends along a length of the collapsible container assembly.