Containers for oil bottles or the like

Abstract

A collapsible container having a base, an upper frame, and a pair of opposed side walls pivotably connected to side edges of the upper frame. Each of the side walls including an upper panel hingeably connected to a lower panel. The lower panel is hingeably connected to the base. A pair of opposed end walls are pivotably connected to end edges of the upper frame. The end walls are pivotable between an upright position extending from the upper frame to the base between the side walls and a retracted position within the upper frame. A lid is pivotably secured to the upper frame. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A collapsible container comprising:
 a base;   a plurality of walls extending upward from the base, wherein each of the plurality of walls pivotably connected to the base; and   a bail pivotably and slidably mounted to a first wall of the plurality of walls, the bail pivotable and slidable between a deployed position extending into an interior of the container and a retracted position within the one of the plurality of walls.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible container of  claim 1  wherein the bail is a first bail, the collapsible container further including a second bail pivotably and slidably mounted to a second wall of the plurality of walls, wherein the second wall is opposite the first wall. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible container of  claim 1  wherein the bail is lockable in the deployed position. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible container of  claim 1  wherein the base includes upstanding side flanges and wherein the one of the plurality of walls is pivotably connected to one of the upstanding side flanges. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible container of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of walls includes a pair of opposed side walls and a pair of opposed end walls and wherein the one of the plurality of walls is one of the pair of opposed side walls, and wherein the one of the pair of opposed side walls includes an upper cavity along an upper edge thereof, and wherein the bail is configured to be at least partially received in the upper cavity when the bail is in the retracted 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible container of  claim 5  wherein the bail includes a cross-beam and a pair of arms projecting from the cross-beam, the bail including a pin extending outward from each of the pair arms, wherein each pin is pivotable and slidable in a channel in each end of the one of the pair of opposed side walls. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible container of  claim 6  wherein the base further includes a drag rail on a lower surface thereof, wherein the drag rail includes a notch for receiving the bail of an identical collapsible container stackable therebelow. 
     
     
         8 . A collapsible container comprising:
 a base having upstanding side flanges;   a pair of opposed side walls pivotably connected to the side flanges, the pair of side walls pivotable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the base, wherein the pair of side walls in the upright position define a container interior;   an upper frame pivotably connected to upper ends of the pair of side walls, the upper frame defining an upper opening into the container interior; and   a lid pivotably connected to the upper frame, the lid selectively closing the upper opening into the container interior.   
     
     
         9 . The collapsible container of  claim 8  wherein each of the pair of side walls includes an upper panel and a lower panel connected by at least one hinge. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible container of  claim 9  wherein the at least one hinge only permits the upper panels and lower panels to pivot inward, not outward, of the collapsible container. 
     
     
         11 . The collapsible container of  claim 10  further including a pair of opposed end walls pivotably connected to the upper frame. 
     
     
         12 . The collapsible container of  claim 11  wherein each of the pair of opposed end walls includes a handle opening at an upper end thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible container of  claim 12  wherein interlocking projections project upward from the upper frame and wherein the base includes complementary recesses aligned to receive the interlocking projections of an identical container stacked therebelow. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible container of  claim 8  wherein the lid includes a pair of latch members projecting away from one another toward ends of the upper frame. 
     
     
         15 . A collapsible container comprising:
 a base;   a pair of opposed walls movable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the base; and   a bail arm slidably and pivotably secured to at least one of the pair of opposed walls, the bail arm movable between a retracted position and a deployed position, wherein the bail arm extends across an interior of the container in the deployed position.   
     
     
         16 . The collapsible container of  claim 15  wherein the pair of opposed walls is a pair of opposed first walls, the container further including a pair of opposed second walls, wherein the bail arm extends from one of the second walls to the other of the second walls in the deployed position. 
     
     
         17 . The collapsible container of  claim 16  wherein the second walls each include an elongated recess on an upper edge thereof, wherein the bail arm is received in the elongated recesses in the deployed position. 
     
     
         18 . The collapsible container of  claim 17  further including a pair of notches in a drag rail on an underside of the base, the pair of notches aligned to receive a bail arm of an identical container stacked therebelow. 
     
     
         19 . The collapsible container of  claim 15  further including a latch or detent securing the bail arm in the deployed position.