Abstract
Collapsible bulk shipping containers comprising sidewalls which interlock with another in a unique stair step arrangement, a series of curved protrusions (or arches) which extend along the entire length and/or the entire height of the sidewalls, collapsible sidewalls which permit the shipping containers to fold flat in a much smaller fraction than conventional bins, and a base having one or more support grids with a series of curved ribs. In some embodiments, the shipping containers are not collapsible and comprise the series of curved protrusions (or arches) which extend along a length and/or a height of one or more of the sidewalls.
Claims
1. A shipping container, comprising: a first pair of opposing sidewalls; a second pair of opposing sidewalls; a base; and a series of curved horizontal protrusions positioned along a length of at least one of the sidewalls in a set of rows.
2. The shipping container of claim 1, further comprising a series of curved horizontal protrusions positioned along a length of the first and second pairs of sidewalls in a set of parallel rows.
3. The shipping container of claim 2, further comprising a series of curved vertical protrusions positioned along a height of the first and second pairs of sidewalls in a set of parallel columns.
4. The shipping container of claim 3, wherein the series of curved horizontal protrusions and the series of curved vertical protrusions each define a convex geometry on an outer surface of the first and second pairs of sidewalls and a corresponding concave geometry on an inner surface of the first and second pairs of sidewalls.
5. The shipping container of claim 1, wherein a vertical column extends from an inner surface of a middle portion of at least one of the first pair of opposing sidewalls.
6. The shipping container of claim 5, wherein the base further comprises a base rim which extends vertically from an external edge of said base rim; wherein the first and second pair of opposing sidewalls are pivotably connected to said base rim; wherein the first and second pair of opposing sidewalls are adapted to move from an upright position to a collapsed position, and from the collapsed position to the upright position; wherein the base further comprises a top surface having a middle recess being adapted to receive the vertical column when one of the first pair of opposing sidewalls is in the collapsed positioned.
7. The shipping container of claim 6, wherein the first and second pair of opposing sidewalls each further comprise an inner surface and opposing side edges; wherein each of the first pair of opposing sidewalls further comprise a wrap-around extension extending from each intersection between the opposing side edges and the inner surface of said first sidewalls; wherein each of the second pair of opposing sidewalls further comprise a receiving extension extending from each intersection between the opposing side edges and the inner surface of said second sidewalls; wherein the receiving extension is adapted to receive the wrap-around extension and the side edge of the first pair of sidewalls when the sidewalls are in the upright position.
8. The shipping contain of claim 7, wherein the top surface of the base further defines a pair of opposing end recesses being adapted to receive the wrap-around extensions of the first pair of sidewalls when one of the first pair of opposing sidewalls is in the collapsed positioned.
9. A collapsible shipping container, comprising: a first pair of opposing sidewalls and a second pair of opposing sidewalls each having an inner surface and opposing side edges; and a base having a base rim which extends vertically from an external edge of said base rim; wherein the first and second pair of opposing sidewalls are pivotably connected to said base rim; wherein the first and second pair of opposing sidewalls are adapted to move from an upright position to a collapsed position, and from the collapsed position to the upright position; wherein each of the first pair of opposing sidewalls further comprise a wrap-around extension extending from each intersection between the opposing side edges and the inner surface of said first sidewalls; wherein each of the second pair of opposing sidewalls further comprise a receiving extension extending from each intersection between the opposing side edges and the inner surface of said second sidewalls; wherein the receiving extension is adapted to receive the wrap-around extension and the side edge of the first pair of sidewalls when the sidewalls are in the upright position.
10. The shipping container of claim 9, wherein each of the wrap-around extensions comprise a first component integrally connected to a second component, wherein the first component extends towards the inner surface of each first sidewall and the second component extends outwards away from said opposing sides edge of each first sidewall.
11. The shipping container of claim 10, wherein the first and second components define about a two-hundred and seventy degree angle which extends along an entire height of the inner surface of said first sidewalls.
12. The shipping container of claim 11, further comprising a pair of external support columns extending vertically along an external side of each wrap-around extension and a pair of internal support columns extending vertically along an internal side of each wrap-around extension.
13. The shipping container of claim 10, wherein each of the receiving extensions extend at an inward angle towards the inner surface of each second sidewall; wherein each of the receiving extensions further comprise a series of stair steps positioned along an inner and an outer side of each receiving extension.
14. The shipping container of claim 13, further comprising a series of internal support columns extending vertically along an internal side of each receiving extension and a series of external support columns extending vertically along an external side of each receiving extension.
15. The shipping container of claim 9, further comprising a series of curved horizontal protrusions positioned along a length of the first and second pairs of sidewalls in a set of parallel rows and a series of curved vertical protrusions positioned along a height of the first and second pairs of sidewalls in a set of parallel columns.
16. The shipping container of claim 15, wherein the series of curved horizontal protrusions and the series of curved vertical protrusions each define a convex geometry on an outer surface of the first and second pairs of sidewalls and a corresponding concave geometry on an inner surface of the first and second pairs of sidewalls.
17. A collapsible shipping container, comprising: a first pair of opposing sidewalls and a second pair of opposing sidewalls each having an inner surface, opposing side edges, and a top edge; a base having a base rim which extends vertically from an external edge of said base rim; a series of curved horizontal protrusions positioned along a length of the first and second pairs of sidewalls in a set of parallel rows; and a series of curved vertical protrusions positioned along a height of the first and second sidewalls in a set of parallel columns; wherein the first and second pair of opposing sidewalls are pivotably connected to said base rim, wherein the first and second pair of opposing sidewalls are adapted to move from an upright position to a collapsed position, and from the collapsed position to the upright position; wherein each of the first pair of opposing sidewalls further comprise a wrap-around extension extending from each intersection between the opposing side edges and the inner surface of said first sidewalls, said wrap-around extension being flush with the top edge of each first sidewall; wherein each of the second pair of opposing sidewalls further comprise a receiving extension extending from each intersection between the opposing side edges and the inner surface of said second sidewalls, said receiving extension being flush with the top edge of each second sidewall; wherein the receiving extension is adapted to receive the wrap-around extension and the side edge of the first pair of sidewalls when the sidewalls are in the upright position.
18. The shipping container of claim 17, wherein the series of curved horizontal protrusions and the series of curved vertical protrusions each define a convex geometry on an outer surface of the first and second pairs of sidewalls and a corresponding concave geometry on an inner surface of the first and second pairs of sidewalls.
19. The shipping container of claim 17, wherein a vertical column extends from an entire height of an inner surface of a middle portion of each first pair of opposing sidewalls; wherein the base further comprises a top surface having a middle recess being adapted to receive the vertical column and a pair of opposing end recesses being adapted to receive the wrap-around extensions when one of the first pair of opposing sidewalls is in the collapsed positioned.
20. The shipping container of claim 17, wherein each of the wrap-around extensions comprise a first component integrally connected to a second component, wherein the first component extends towards the inner surface of said first sidewalls and the second component extends outwards away from said opposing sides edges of each said first sidewall, wherein the first and second components define about a two-hundred and seventy degree angle which extends along a height of each inner surface of said first sidewalls; wherein each of the receiving extensions extend at an inward angle towards the inner surface of said second sidewalls, wherein each of the receiving extensions further comprise a series of stair steps defining a series of generally ninety degree angles and positioned along an inner and an outer side of each receiving extension.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0013] The drawings and embodiments described herein are illustrative of multiple alternative structures, aspects, and features of the present embodiments, and they are not to be understood as limiting the scope of present embodiments. It will be further understood that the drawing Figures described and provided herein are not to scale, and that the embodiments are not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
[0014] FIGS. 1A-1I are perspective views of a collapsible shipping container moving from an upright position (as shown in FIG. 1A) to a collapsed position (as shown in FIG. 1I), according to multiple embodiments and alternatives.
[0015] FIGS. 2A-2B are bottom, perspective views of a collapsible shipping container, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives.
[0016] FIGS. 3A-3B are top, perspective views of a collapsible shipping container, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a collapsible shipping container, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a base for a collapsible shipping container having a top member and a bottom member, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a top, perspective view of a bottom member of a base for a collapsible shipping container, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a bottom, perspective view of a top member of a base for a collapsible shipping container, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a base and a series of hinge members for a collapsible shipping container, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives.
[0022] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the internal side of a hinge member, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives. FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the external side of a hinge member, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a hinge member slot in a base rim of a collapsible shipping container, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives.
[0024] FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a portion of a first pair of sidewalls, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives. FIG. 11B is a close-up view of a hinge member recess of a first pair of sidewalls, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives.
[0025] FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a base rim for a collapsible shipping container, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives. FIG. 12B is a perspective view of a portion of a second pair of sidewalls, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives.
[0026] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a collapsible shipping container having at least one drop-down door, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives.
[0027] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an internal side of a first sidewall, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives.
[0028] FIG. 15A is a front view of the external side of a second sidewall, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives. FIG. 15B is a perspective view of the external side of a second sidewall, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives. FIG. 15C is a perspective view of the internal side of a second sidewall, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives. FIG. 15D is a front view of the of the external side of a second sidewall, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives. FIG. 15E is a cross-section view of a second sidewall, across line 6-6 of FIG. 15D, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives. FIG. 15F is a front view of the external side of a second sidewall, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives. FIG. 15G is a cross-section view of a second sidewall, across line 7-7 of FIG. 15F, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives.
[0029] FIGS. 16A-16B are perspective views of at least one latch for a first sidewall, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives.
[0030] FIGS. 17A-17C are top, perspective views of a wrap-around extension for a first sidewall, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives.
[0031] FIG. 18A-18B are top, perspective views of a receiving extension for a second sidewall, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives. FIG. 18C is a close-up view of a receiving extension for a second sidewall, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives.
[0032] FIGS. 19A-19C are top, perspective views of the connection between a first and second sidewall of a collapsible shipping container, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives.
[0033] FIG. 20A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a collapsible shipping container having alignment tabs, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives. FIGS. 20B-20C are close-up views of the alignment tabs illustrated in FIG. 20A, according to multiple embodiments and alternatives.
MULTIPLE EMBODIMENTS AND ALTERNATIVES
[0034] According to multiple embodiments and alternatives, FIGS. 1A-1I illustrate a collapsible shipping container 5 comprising a base 8 having a base rim 40, a first pair of opposing sidewalls 85 and a second pair of opposing sidewalls 150 being pivotably connected to the base rim 40. The base rim 40 extends vertically along the outer edge of the base 8 and comprises a first set of opposing side rims 42 and a second set of opposing side rims 50 positioned above the first side rims 42 (as best shown in FIG. 1E). The first pair of opposing sidewalls 85 are pivotably connected to the first set of side rims 42 of the base rim 40 by one or more hinge members 60. In further embodiments, the second pair of opposing sidewalls 150 are directly and pivotably connected to the second set of side rims 50 of the base rim 40 by one or more hinge units 162 (which are discussed in more detail below).
[0035] FIG. 1A illustrates the container 5 in an upright position in which the sidewalls 85, 150 extend vertically, FIGS. 1B-1H illustrate the container 5 moving from the upright to the collapsed position, and FIG. 1I illustrates the container 5 in a collapsed positioned in which the sidewalls 85, 150 lay flat upon one another and are received within the top surface 30 (i.e. the bottom) of the container 5. It will be appreciated that container 5 is adapted to move from the upright position to the collapsed position, and vice versa.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1B-1D, the first pair of sidewalls 85 have an outer surface 88 and an inner surface 90. In some embodiments, either of the first sidewalls 85 are adapted to fold down first (i.e. there is no required order between the sidewalls 85) until the inner surface 90 mates with the top surface 30 of the bin. As shown in FIG. 1C, once a first sidewall 85 lays flat upon the top surface 30, the outer surface 88 of the first sidewall 85 is positioned at the same height and is flush with the top edge 48 of the base rim 40. In further embodiments, the outer surface 88 is positioned below the top edge 48 of the base rim 40. As shown in FIGS. 1D-1E, the other first sidewall 85 (in the upright position) then lays flat until its inner surface 90 mates with the outer surface 88 of the first sidewall 85 which is already lying flat. Next, either of the second pair of sidewalls 150 are adapted to fold down and there is no required order between these sidewalls. As shown in FIGS. 1F to 1G, a second sidewall 150 is adapted to lay flat until its inner surface 155 mates with the outer surface 88 of the uppermost, first sidewall 85. As illustrated in FIGS. 1H to 1I, once one of the second sidewalls 150 lays flat, the remaining second sidewall 150 (in the upright position) rotates downward until its inner surface 155 mates with the outer surface 152 of the second sidewall 150 which is already lying flat in the container 5.
[0037] When the container 5 is in the fully collapsed position (as illustrated in FIG. 1I), the second pair of opposing sidewalls 150 lay flat directly on top of the first pair of opposing side rims 50 which, in turn, lay on top of the top surface 30 of the bin. As shown in FIG. 1I, when in the collapsed position, the outer surface 152 of the second pair of opposing sidewalls 150 are positioned below the top edge 55 of the base rim 40 and are not flush (unlike the first pair of sidewalls 85), according to multiple embodiments and alternatives. The portions of the second set of side rims 50 of the base rim 40 that extend vertically above the second pair of sidewalls 150 are adapted to be received in the receiving grooves 26 (best illustrated in FIG. 2B) positioned on the bottom of the bin to permit the bins 5 to stack on top of one another.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2B, the base 8 comprises a support structure 11 which extends downward from the bottom surface 25 of the container 5. In some embodiments, the support structure 11 comprises a series of end components 12 which are positioned at the corners of the bottom of the container 5, middle components 15 positioned between said end components 12, and connections 18 which span horizontally between the end components 12 and the middle components 15. The connections 18 define grooves 26 which extend along the length of the support structure 11 and are adapted to receive a portion of the base rim 40 to permit stacking of the bins 5. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the support structure 11 further comprises a middle unit 27 having a pair of opposing end components 12, a middle component, and a connection, wherein the middle unit 27 extends from the middle of the bottom surface 25. In some embodiments, the middle unit 27 has a narrower width which allows a stand-up forklift to pick-up the support structure 11 of the bin. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that a stand-up forklift is generally shorter and more compact than a sit-down forklift.
[0039] As discussed in more detail below, in some embodiments a series of curved protrusions are positioned along the entire length of the sidewalls 85, 150. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, a series of curved horizontal protrusions 200 span horizontally along the sidewalls 85, 150 in parallel and spaced apart rows (as a non-limiting example). In further embodiments, a series of curved vertical protrusions 202 span vertically along the sidewalls 85, 150 in a series of parallel and spaced apart columns (as a non-limiting example). According to multiple embodiments and alternatives, the protrusions 200, 202 each curve in the same direction to control the buckling moment (e.g. a convex geometry on the outer surface 88 and a concave geometry on the inner surface 90 as non-limiting examples) as best illustrated in FIGS. 15E and 15G.
[0040] As illustrated in FIGS. 3A-4, a vertical column 92 extends along the entire height of the middle portion of the inner surface 90 of the first pair of sidewalls 85. In further embodiments, a vertical column extends along the entire height of the middle of the inner surface 155 of the second pair of sidewalls 150. According to multiple embodiments and alternative, the vertical column 92 defines a corresponding slot on the outer surface of the first pair of sidewalls 85 which is adapted to receive the vertical column 92 of the other first sidewall when the first sidewalls are stacked on top of each other in the collapsed position (as shown in in FIG. 1E). FIG. 5 illustrates the base 8 having a bottom member 10 connected to a top member 28 (via welding as a non-limiting example), wherein the top member 28 defines a top surface 30 (i.e. the bottom of the container 5). In some embodiments, the top surface 30 further defines a series of recesses 32 which are adapted to receive the vertical column 92 and the wrap-around extensions 105 of either of the sidewalls 85 when said sidewalls 85 lay flat. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, a middle recess 32 is positioned along the middle of the top surface 30 of the bin and is adapted to receive the vertical column 92. In further embodiments, a pair of end recesses 32 are positioned along the ends of the top surface 30 and are adapted receive the wrap-around extensions 105. Accordingly, the middle and end recesses 32 enable the sidewalls 85 to lay flat when in the collapsed position.
[0041] According to multiple embodiments and alternatives, the top surface 20 of the bottom member 10 comprises a grid support structure 22 as illustrated in FIG. 6 and the bottom surface 35 of the top member 28 also defines a grid support structure 38 as illustrated in FIG. 7. In some embodiments, both grid support structures 22, 38 comprise a series of curved ribs which allows for the use of thinner and lighter materials in base 8 and provides stronger support for the container 5.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 8-11B, in some embodiments the first pair of sidewalls 85 are pivotably connected to the first set of side rims 42 of the base rim 40 via one or more hinge members 60. In some embodiments, each of the hinge members 60 comprise an interior side 68, an exterior side 70 (having a grid support system (not numbered)), a top hinge 62, a bottom hinge 65 and a pair of grooves 72 that extend down from the top of the hinge member 60. It will be appreciated that the grooves 72 permit the top hinge 62 to be removably secured to, and removed from, the top hinge borings 102 of the first pair of sidewalls 85 by squeezing the hinges 62 together and engaging the top hinge borings 102. In turn, the bottom hinge 65 of the hinge members 60 are pivotably connected to the hinge member slots 45 which are defined by the first set of side rims 42 of the base rim 40.
[0043] Accordingly, and as best illustrated in FIG. 8, the bottom hinge 65 is adapted to move vertically within hinge member slot 45 either up along arrow 80 or down along arrow 82. In turn, as the bottom hinge 65 moves vertically, the top hinge 62 rotates downward towards the bottom of the bin 30 along arrow 75 or upwards along arrow 78. As shown in FIGS. 11A-11B, the first pair of sidewalls 85 define a series of hinge member recesses 100 positioned along the bottom edge 98 which are adapted to pivotably receive a portion of a hinge member 60. In some embodiments, each of the hinge member recesses 100 further define top hinge borings 102 which are adapted to pivotably receive the top hinge 62. Accordingly, the hinge members 60 enable the first pair of sidewalls 85 to pivotably engage the base 8 and lay flat upon the top surface 30 such that the outer surface 88 is flush with the top edge 48 of the first set of side rims 42 of the base rim 40 (best illustrated in FIG. 10) when in the collapsed position.
[0044] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 12A-12B, the base rim 8 further comprises a second pair of opposing side rims 50 which define a plurality of hinge unit recesses 52 having slots 53, wherein the recesses 52 are adapted to pivotably receive the hinge units 162 of the second pair of sidewalls 150. The plurality of hinge units 162 extend downward from the bottom edge 160 of the second pair of sidewalls 150 and further comprise a hinge 165 which is adapted to be pivotably received in the slots 53 of the hinge unit recess 52. Accordingly, the hinge unit recesses 52 permit the second pair of sidewalls 150 to rotate from the upward position and downward to the collapsed position, and vice versa. Unlike the first pair of sidewalls 85, the outer surface 152 of the second pair of sidewalls 150 are positioned below the top edge 55 (best shown in FIG. 12A) when in the collapsed position. As previously noted, in some embodiments this feature allows the top edge 55 to be received in the grooves 26 of the bottom of another bin which permits the container 5 to stack.
[0045] According to multiple embodiments and alternatives, as shown in FIG. 13 the container 5 may comprise an optional drop-down door feature in which a drop-down door 122 can rotate downward along arrow 133 or upward along arrow 132 from one or more of the sidewalls (or none of the sidewalls, if desired by the user). As illustrated in FIGS. 13A-14 and 16A-16B, the first sidewall 85 (or one or more of sidewalls 150) may comprise a main member 125 and a drop-down door 122 which is pivotably connected to main member 125 via at least one hinge 128. In some embodiments, a user may disengage the drop-down door 122 from the main member 125 by sliding latch 130 inward and then rotating the drop-down door downward along arrow 133 towards the outer surface 88. Likewise, the user can rotate the drop-down 122 along arrow 132 and re-engage the main member 125 via latch 130. It will be appreciated that the drop-down door 122 can be connected to the main member 125 via other latches and connections known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such as spring latches, pull latches, a door-handle configuration, and others.
[0046] As illustrated in FIGS. 14-15G and 2A-2B, in some embodiments a series of curved protrusions are positioned along the entire length and/or the entire height of the sidewalls 85, 150. According to multiple embodiments and alternatives, the sidewalls 85, 150 each define a series of curved horizontal protrusions 200 having a convex geometry on the outer surface 88 and a concave geometry on the inner surface 90 as non-limiting examples, span the entire length of the sidewalls from one side edge to the opposing side edge, and are positioned in parallel and spaced apart rows. As best illustrated in FIGS. 15A-15B, 15D-15E, and 2B, in some embodiments the sidewalls 85, 150 each define a series of curved vertical protrusions 202 having a convex geometry on the outer surface 88 and a concave geometry on the inner surface 90 as non-limiting examples, span the entire height of the sidewalls from the top edge to the bottom edge, and are positioned in parallel and spaced apart columns. It will be appreciated that the protrusions 200, 202 each curve in the same direction in order to control the buckling moment for the sidewalls 85, 150. In further embodiments, all of the protrusions 200, 202 curve outwardly and have a concave geometry (as a non-limiting example).
[0047] According to multiple embodiments and alternatives, the sidewalls 85, 150 are connected to one another by at least one latch 115. As best illustrated in FIGS. 16A to 16B, the outer surface of the sidewalls 85, 150 define one or more latch borings 112 which are adapted to slidably receive at least one latch 115. The latch borings 112 may also define a finger hole which spans through the sidewall and permits a user to use their finger to slidably engage a corresponding finger hole 120 in the latch 115. When a user desires to disengage the sidewalls 85, 150 from one another, a user can simply engage the latch 115 with their finger and slide the latch 115 inward. Once the latches 115 are disengaged, the user can begin rotating the sidewalls downward into the collapsed position as previously discussed.
[0048] FIGS. 17A-19C illustrate the interlock between the wrap-around extension 105 (which generally comprises an L-shape as a non-limiting example) of the first pair of sidewalls 85 and the corresponding receiving extension 168 of the second pair of sidewalls 150. As shown in FIGS. 17A to 17C, a wrap-around extension 105 extends from the intersection of each of the side edges 95 and the inner surface 90 of each of the first pair of sidewalls 85 and is flush with the top edge 99. In some embodiments, the wrap-around extension 105 comprises a first component 108 integrally connected to a second component 110, wherein the first component 108 extends inward and the second component 110 extends outward. In further embodiments, the first and second components 108, 110 generally define a two-hundred and seventy (270) angle which extends along the entire height of the inner surface 90 of the first pair of sidewalls 85. As best illustrated in FIG. 17B, in some embodiments the wrap-around extension 105 further comprises a pair of external support columns 111 which extend vertically along the entire height of the external side of the wrap-around extension 105. As shown in FIG. 17C, in further embodiments a pair of internal support columns 109 span the entire height of the internal side of the wrap-around extension 105 along the second component 110. According to multiple embodiments and alternatives, support rows (not numbered) extend horizontally along the sides of the wrap-around extension 105 to provide additional support.
[0049] As illustrated in FIGS. 18A to 18C, a receiving extension 168 extends at an inward angle from each of the sides of the second pair of sidewalls 150, is adapted to mate with and receive the wrap-around extension 105 of the first pair of sidewalls 85 and is flush with the top edge 161. The receiving extension 168 extends from each of the intersections between the inner surface 155 and side edge 158 of the second pair of sidewalls 150. The receiving extension 168 comprises a series of stair steps 170 which are positioned along the inner and outer sides of the receiving extension 168 and define a series of ninety-degree angles. In further embodiments, the receiving extension 168 comprises a series of internal support columns 172 which extend vertically along the entire height of the inner side of said receiving extension 168, and a series of external support columns 175 which extend vertically along the entire height of the outer side of said receiving extension 168.
[0050] FIGS. 20A-20C illustrate a pair of shipping containers 5 stacked on top of one another and having at least one alignment tab 205. According to multiple embodiments and alternatives, the middle component 15 and the end components 12 of the middle unit 27 comprise an alignment tab 205 which extends downward and engages a corresponding slot 208 positioned in the top of the other shipping container. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the alignment tabs 205 and slots 208 ensure the bins 5 are aligned when stacked on top of one another prevent the sidewalls from bowing outward when under load.
[0051] As best illustrated in FIGS. 18C to 19C, the receiving extension 168 defines a side edge receiving surface 178 which is adapted to receive the side edge 95 of the first pair of side walls 85 and an extension receiving surface 180 which is adapted to receive the wrap-around extension 105 of the first pair of sidewalls.
[0052] In operation, the user has the option to lower a drop down door 122 from any of the sidewalls 85, 150 (or none of the sidewalls if desired) by slidably engaging the latches 130 and rotating the drop down door 122 up or down along arrows 132, 133. If a user desires to move the container 5 from the upright position to the collapsed position, the user first slides the latches 115 inwardly until one of the first pair of sidewalls 85 is no longer engaged with the second pair of sidewalls 150. The user then rotates the first sidewall 85 downward along arrow 75 until the sidewall 85 lays flat upon the bottom of the bin 30, and the vertical column 92 is received in the middle recess 32 and the wrap-around extensions 105 are received in the end recesses 32. Next, the user slides the latches 115 inwardly and then rotates the opposing first sidewall 85 downward along arrow 75 until the sidewall lays flat upon the opposing sidewall 85 which is already laying flat. The user then folds in the second pair of sidewalls 150 (in no particular order) until all of the sidewalls 85, 150 lay flat upon the bottom surface 30 of the container 5. The user can stack multiple bins 5 on top of each other by engaging the second set of side rims 50 of a first bin with the receiving grooves 26 on the bottom of a second bin. If a user desires to return the container 5 to the upright position, the user simply rotates the second sidewalls 150 upward until the sidewalls 150 are positioned vertically. Next, the first pair of sidewalls 85 are rotated upward along arrow 78 until the sidewalls 85 are positioned vertically and the latches 115 re-engage with the second pair of sidewalls 150.
[0053] It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are not limited in their application to the details of the teachings and descriptions set forth, or as illustrated in the accompanying figures. Rather, it will be understood that the present embodiments and alternatives, as described and claimed herein, are capable of being practiced or carried out in various ways.
[0054] Also, it is to be understood that words and phrases used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of including, comprising, e.g., containing, or having and variations of those words is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter, and equivalents of those, as well as additional items.
[0055] Accordingly, the foregoing descriptions of several embodiments and alternatives are meant to illustrate, rather than to serve as limits on the scope of what has been disclosed herein. The descriptions herein are not intended to be exhaustive, nor are they meant to limit the understanding of the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art that modifications and variations of these embodiments are reasonably possible in light of the above teachings and descriptions.
