Bulk bin with panel to panel interlock features

Abstract

A collapsible bulk bin container with structures for improved strength is provided. The bulk bin container includes wrap-around portions in the short sidewalls with a horizontal top plate and a horizontal rib proximate the top plate. The bulk bin container also includes ramp structure in the long side sidewall and base for lifting and dropping the sidewall when pivoted upright. The upright sidewall and base include surfaces to inhibit or prevent buckling due to compressive loads. The bin can also include post and pocket interlock structures.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A collapsible bulk bin container comprising:
 a base having a first side, a second side perpendicular to the first side, a third side parallel to the first side and perpendicular to the second side and a fourth side perpendicular to the first side and parallel to the second side;   a first sidewall pivotably connected to the first side of the base;   a second sidewall pivotably connected to the second side of the base;   a third sidewall pivotably connected to the third side of the base;   a fourth sidewall pivotably connected to the fourth side of the base;   the first sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface and a first edge on a first side perpendicular to the outer surface, the first sidewall connected to a first wrap-around portion at the first side of the first sidewall, the first wrap-around portion extending outward beyond the first edge of the first sidewall, the first wrap-around portion further extending toward the third side, the first wrap-around portion having a first horizontal plate at a top portion of the first wrap-around portion extending outward over the first wrap-around portion.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible bulk bin container of  claim 1  further comprising the first sidewall having a second edge on a second side perpendicular to the outer surface and a second wrap-around portion at the second side of the first sidewall that contacts a first side portion of the fourth sidewall when the first and fourth sidewalls are pivoted upright, the second wrap-around portion extending outward beyond the second edge of the first sidewall and further extending toward the third side, the second wrap-around portion having a second horizontal plate at a top portion extending outward over the second wrap-around portion. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible bulk bin container of  claim 2  further comprising a horizontal rib in the first wrap-around portion positioned below the first horizontal plate proximate the top portion of the first wrap-around portion. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible bulk bin container of  claim 3  further comprising a horizontal rib in the second wrap-around portion positioned below the second horizontal plate proximate the top portion of the second wrap-around portion. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible bulk bin container of  claim 2  wherein the first wrap-around portion extends at about a 90° angle from the first sidewall. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible bulk bin container of  claim 5  wherein the second wrap-around portion extends at about a 90° angle from the first sidewall. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible bulk bin container of  claim 1  wherein the first wrap-around portion of the first sidewall includes projections for interlocking with the second sidewall. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible bulk bin container of  claim 2  further comprising the third sidewall having a first wrap-around portion at a first side of the third sidewall that contacts a second side portion of the second sidewall when the third and second sidewalls are pivoted upright, the first wrap-around portion of the third sidewall having a third horizontal plate extending outward over the first wrap-around portion at a top portion of the first wrap-around portion. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible bulk bin container of  claim 8  further comprising the third sidewall having a second wrap-around portion at a second side of the third sidewall that contacts a second side portion of the fourth sidewall when the third and fourth sidewalls are pivoted upright, the second wrap-around portion of the third sidewall having a fourth horizontal plate extending outward over the second wrap-around portion at a top portion of the second wrap-around portion. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible bulk bin container of  claim 9  further comprising a horizontal rib in the first wrap-around portion of the third sidewall positioned below the third horizontal plate proximate the top portion of the first wrap-around portion. 
     
     
         11 . The collapsible bulk bin container of  claim 10  further comprising a horizontal rib in the second wrap-around portion of the third sidewall positioned below the first horizontal plate proximate the top portion of the second wrap-around portion. 
     
     
         12 . The collapsible bulk bin container of  claim 1  wherein the first wrap-around portion is configured to contact a projection from a first side portion of the second sidewall when the first and second sidewalls are pivoted upright. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible bulk bin container of  claim 2  wherein the second wrap-around portion is configured to contact a projection from a first side portion of the third sidewall when the first and third sidewalls are pivoted upright. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible bulk bin container of  claim 1  wherein the first wrap-around portion includes an outer wall connected to the first edge of the first sidewall. 
     
     
         15 . The collapsible bulk bin container of  claim 14  wherein the outer wall of the first wrap-around portion is perpendicular to the first edge of the first sidewall. 
     
     
         16 . A plastic collapsible bulk bin container comprising:
 a rectangular base portion having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side;   a rectangular first sidewall extending upward from the first side, the first sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface, a first planar edge perpendicular to the outer surface and inner surface on a first side of the first sidewall and a second planar edge perpendicular to the outer surface and inner surface on a second side of the first side wall;   a second sidewall pivotally mounted to the second side of the base portion;   a third sidewall extending upward form the third side of the base portion;   a fourth sidewall pivotally mounted to the fourth side of the base portion;   a first wrap-around portion extending laterally outward from the first edge of the first sidewall, the first wrap-around portion having a top plate and a pocket below the top plate for receiving a first portion of the second sidewall.   
     
     
         17 . The plastic collapsible bulk bin container of  claim 16  wherein the first wrap-around portion extends toward the third sidewall. 
     
     
         18 . The plastic collapsible bulk bin container of  claim 16  further comprising a second wrap-around portion extending laterally outward from the second edge of the first sidewall, the second wrap-around portion having a top plate and a pocket below the top plate for receiving a first portion of the fourth sidewall. 
     
     
         19 . The plastic collapsible bulk bin container of  claim 18  wherein the second wrap-around portion extends toward the third sidewall. 
     
     
         20 . The plastic collapsible bulk bin container of  claim 18  further comprising a first wrap-around portion extending laterally outward from a first edge of the third sidewall, the first wrap-around portion extending from the third sidewall having a top plate and a pocket below the top plate for receiving a second portion of the second sidewall and a second wrap-around portion extending laterally outward from a second edge of the third sidewall, the second wrap-around portion extending from the third sidewall having a top plate and a pocket below the top plate for receiving a second portion of the fourth sidewall.