Abstract
A freezer bin system utilizes a collapsible bin with two sides having bin folding features and a base member of fabric to allow the sides to fold inward to collapse the bin and a base support insert configured for insertion into the bin for stability in an open configuration and one or more wall divider panels configured for detachable attachment across the wall of the collapsible bin to form compartments within the bin. A compartment divider panel may be configured to extend from a wall divider panel to one of the walls of the collapsible bin to enable further customization of the compartments within the bin. The wall panels may include a structural component, to provide effective strength and rigidity, and an interior and exterior fabric.
Claims
1. A freezer bin system comprising: a) a collapsible bin comprising: i) four walls comprising: two foldable side walls, each having a bin fold feature; and two end walls; wherein only two of said four walls have a bin fold feature to form said two foldable side walls; wherein two opposing walls of said four walls comprise a bin divider attachment extending vertically along each of said two opposing walls; ii) a base fabric member extending along a base of the collapsible bin and coupled to each of the four walls; b) a base support insert configured for insertion into the collapsible bin to retain the four walls in an open configuration; wherein each of the four walls and the base support insert comprise a wall panel comprising: a structural component that is a plastic rigid member that is self-standing and retains a shape, wherein the structural component comprises two sections of structural component and structural voids between said two sections of structural component; wherein a first section of said two sections of structural component extends as a layer proximal to an interior of the wall panel and a second section of said two sections of structural component extends as a layer proximal to an exterior of the wall panel and wherein the structural voids are configured between the first section and second section of the structural component; and wherein each of the wall panels are waterproof, wherein no liquid water, passes through the wall panel for 10 hours with a 25 cm water column of pressure applied thereto; c) a wall divider panel configured to extend between the two opposing walls of said four walls, wherein the wall divider panel comprises: i) a first end attachment configured on a first end of the wall divider panel; and ii) a second end attachment configured on a second end of the wall divider panel; wherein the first and second end attachments are configured to detachably attach to the bin divider attachments on said two opposing walls of the collapsible bin to produce a first compartment and second compartment within the collapsible bin; d) a strap attached to each of the two foldable side walls wherein each strap has a first attached end attached on a first side of the bin fold feature and a second attached end attached to a second side, opposite said first side of the bin fold feature, and wherein the two opposing walls having the bin divider attachments are the foldable side walls; wherein each of the bin divider attachments extend along the bin fold feature of the respective foldable side wall; and wherein the bin fold feature is centrally configured on each of the foldable side walls between the two end walls.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. The freezer bin system of claim 1, wherein the base support insert has a base fold feature to enable the base support insert to fold.
6. The freezer bin system of claim 1, wherein the base support insert extends centrally across the base support insert.
7. (canceled)
8. The freezer bin system of claim 1, wherein the base support insert is waterproof wherein no liquid water passes through the base support insert for 10 hours with a 25 cm water column of pressure.
9. The freezer bin system of claim 8, wherein the base support insert has a base fold feature to enable the base support insert to fold.
10. The freezer bin system of claim 1, wherein the bin divider attachment and each of the first end attachment and second end attachment of the wall divider panel is a hook-and-loop fastener.
11. The freezer bin system of claim 1, wherein the wall divider panel comprises a flap on said first end and a flap on said second end, and wherein the first end attachment is configured on said flap on said first end and second end attachment is configured on said flap of the second end of the wall divider panel, and wherein the flap is configured to flop with respect to the wall divider panel.
12. The freezer bin system of claim 1, comprising two or more bin divider attachments on each of said two opposing walls.
13. The freezer bin system of claim 12, wherein the two opposing walls having the two or more bin divider attachments are the foldable side walls and wherein the freezer bin system comprises two or more wall divider panels.
14. The freezer bin system of claim 1, further comprising a compartment divider panel comprising a first end attachment and a second end attachment, and wherein the wall divider panel comprises a compartment attachment configured to detachably attach with the first end attachment of the compartment divider panel, and wherein one of said four walls other than said two opposing walls with the bin divider attachments comprises a bin compartment attachment configured to detachably attach with the second end attachment of the compartment divider panel to produce a segmented compartment within the first compartment of the collapsible bin.
15. The freezer bin system of claim 14, wherein the wall divider panel comprises a plurality of compartment attachments configured to detachably attach with the first end attachment of one of said plurality of compartment divider panels, and wherein at least one of said four walls other than said two opposing walls with the bin divider attachments comprises a bin compartment attachment configured to detachably attach with the second end attachment of the compartment divider panel to produce a segmented compartment.
16. The freezer bin system of claim 1, wherein a length and a width of the collapsible bin in an open configuration is between 30 cm and 45 cm.
17. The freezer bin system of claim 16, wherein a height of the collapsible bin in an open configuration is no more than 25 cm.
18. (canceled)
19. The freezer bin system of claim 1, wherein the collapsible bin is waterproof allowing no liquid water to pass therethrough for 10 hours with a 25 cm water column.
20. (canceled)
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary freezer bin system including a collapsible bin in an open configuration having a top opening for receiving freezer items and a detachably attachable wall divider panel extending between two opposing wall to form a first compartment and a second compartment within the collapsible bin.
[0020] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the exemplary freezer bin system of FIG. 1, with the wall divider panel removed and with a base support insert configured over the top opening of the collapsible bin for insertion down into the collapsible bin to support and retain the wall of the collapsible bin in an open configuration.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the exemplary freezer bin system of FIG. 1 with the wall divider panel removed and with a base support insert inserted down to the base of the collapsible bin, over a base fabric member.
[0022] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the exemplary freezer bin system of FIG. 3 with the wall divider panel being inserted into the collapsible bin with the first and second end attachments aligned with the bin divider attachments on the two opposing walls, the foldable side walls.
[0023] FIG. 5 shows a first side wall view of the collapsible bin of the exemplary freezer bin system in an open configuration.
[0024] FIG. 6 shows a second side wall view of the collapsible bin of the exemplary freezer bin system in an open configuration.
[0025] FIG. 7 shows a first end wall view of the collapsible bin of the exemplary freezer bin system in an open configuration.
[0026] FIG. 8 shows a second end wall view of the collapsible bin of the exemplary freezer bin system in an open configuration.
[0027] FIG. 9 shows a top view of the collapsible bin of the exemplary freezer bin system in an open configuration with the base support insert and a wall divider panel inserted.
[0028] FIG. 10 shows a base view of the collapsible bin of the exemplary freezer bin system in an open configuration.
[0029] FIG. 11 shows a base interior surface view a base support insert having a base fold feature extending across the base support insert and a folding tap for retrieving the base support insert from within the collapsible bin.
[0030] FIG. 12 shows a base bin surface view a base support insert having a base fold feature extending across the base support insert.
[0031] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a top of a collapsible bin collapsed and resting on the base support insert and a wall divider panel.
[0032] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of an end of a collapsible bin collapsed and resting on the base support insert and a wall divider panel.
[0033] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a collapsible bin collapsed and resting on the base support insert and a wall divider panel.
[0034] FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of an end of a collapsible bin collapsed and resting on the base support insert and a wall divider panel.
[0035] FIG. 17 shows a perspective top view of a collapsible bin collapsed and resting on the base support insert and a wall divider panel.
[0036] FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of an exemplary freezer bin system including a collapsible bin in an open configuration having a top opening for receiving freezer items and two detachably attachable wall divider panels extending between two opposing walls to form a first compartment, a second compartment and a third compartment within the collapsible bin.
[0037] FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of the exemplary freezer bin system of FIG. 18, with the wall divider panels removed and with a base support insert configured over the top opening of the collapsible bin for insertion down into the collapsible bin to support and retain the wall of the collapsible bin in an open configuration.
[0038] FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of the exemplary freezer bin system of FIG. 18 with the wall divider panels removed and with a base support insert inserted down to the base of the collapsible bin, over a base fabric member.
[0039] FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of the exemplary freezer bin system of FIG. 18 with the wall divider panels being inserted into the collapsible bin with the first and second end attachments aligned with the bin divider attachments on the two opposing walls, the foldable side walls.
[0040] FIG. 22 shows a first side wall view of the collapsible bin of the exemplary freezer bin system in an open configuration.
[0041] FIG. 23 shows a second side wall view of the collapsible bin of the exemplary freezer bin system in an open configuration.
[0042] FIG. 24 shows a first end wall view of the collapsible bin of the exemplary freezer bin system in an open configuration.
[0043] FIG. 25 shows a second end wall view of the collapsible bin of the exemplary freezer bin system in an open configuration.
[0044] FIG. 26 shows a top view of the collapsible bin of the exemplary freezer bin system in an open configuration with the base support insert and the wall divider panels inserted.
[0045] FIG. 27 shows a base view of the collapsible bin of the exemplary freezer bin system in an open configuration.
[0046] FIG. 28 shows a base interior surface view a base support insert having a base fold feature extending across the base support insert and a folding tap for retrieving the base support insert from within the collapsible bin.
[0047] FIG. 29 shows a base bin surface view a base support insert having a base fold feature extending across the base support insert.
[0048] FIG. 30 shows a perspective view of a top of a collapsible bin collapsed and resting on the base support insert and wall divider panels.
[0049] FIG. 31 shows a perspective view of an end of a collapsible bin collapsed and resting on the base support insert and wall divider panel2.
[0050] FIG. 32 shows a perspective view of a collapsible bin collapsed and resting on the base support insert and wall divider panels.
[0051] FIG. 33 shows a perspective view of an end of a collapsible bin collapsed and resting on the base support insert and wall divider panels.
[0052] FIG. 34 shows a top view of a collapsible bin as shown in FIG. 9 with a compartment divider panel extending from the wall divider panel to the end wall to form first and second section compartment sections of the second compartment.
[0053] FIG. 35 shows a cross-sectional view of a composite wall panel having a structural component, a rigid component that provides structural stability for the wall panel, and a bin fold feature that is a gap or space between two sections of structural components having a structural gap distance and stitching extending from the interior fabric to the exterior fabric of the wall panel.
[0054] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the figures. The figures represent an illustration of some of the embodiments of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. Some of the figures may not show all of the features and components of the invention for ease of illustration, but it is to be understood that where possible, features and components from one figure may be included in the other figures. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0055] As used herein, the terms comprises, comprising, includes, including, has, having or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Also, use of a or an are employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.
[0056] Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein and are illustrated in the accompanying figures. The embodiments described are only for purposes of illustrating the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention, and certain modifications, combinations and improvements of the described embodiments, will occur to those skilled in the art and all such alternate embodiments, combinations, modifications, improvements are within the scope of the present invention.
[0057] Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 16, an exemplary freezer bin system 10 includes a collapsible bin 20 configured to collapse from an open configuration, shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, to a collapsed configuration with two opposing walls of the collapsible bin folded inward as shown in FIGS. 13 to 17. The collapsible bin 20 has four walls 24, 24, 24, 24 and a base fabric member to form an enclosure or bin having an interior 23 for receiving freezer items therein. The collapsible bin has a top 21 with a top opening 22 for receiving a base support insert 60 therein to retain the collapsible bin in an open configuration. Also, the freezer bin system 10 includes a detachably attachable wall divider panel 70 extending between two opposing walls to form a first compartment 34 and a second compartment 35 within the collapsible bin, as shown in FIG. 1. The exterior 29 of the collapsible bin 20 includes the exterior of the four walls 24 and the exterior of the base 25. The interior 23 of the collapsible bin 20 includes the interior of the four walls and the interior of the base. The interior and/or exterior may be waterproof and may include a polymeric film layer. The collapsible bin 20 may be waterproof, as described herein, wherein fluids will not pass from the interior 23 to the exterior 29 of the collapsible bin 20 as defined by waterproof herein.
[0058] The collapsible bin 20 has two opposing foldable side walls 40, 40 and two opposing end walls 50, 50. The two opposing foldable side walls extend in parallel with each other and orthogonal to the two opposing end walls, that also extend in parallel with each other, when in an open configuration, as best shown in FIG. 9. The foldable side walls have a bin fold feature 45 that enables these foldable side walls to fold inward to collapse the collapsible bin 20. The base fabric member 26 is supple to enable collapsing the collapsible bin to a collapsed configuration. The collapsible bin has a length 41 along the foldable side wall sides of the collapsible bin as shown in FIG. 6, and a width 51 along the end wall sides of the collapsible bin as shown in FIG. 7 and a height 53 from a base to a top 21 also shown in FIG. 6. Note that the length 41 of the collapsible bin is also the length of the foldable side and the width 51 of the collapsible bin is also the length of the end wall side. The height of the collapsible bin 20 is the height of the walls 24, the foldable side walls 40 and the end walls 50.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 1, an exemplary freezer bin system 10 is configured with the wall divider panel removed and with a base support insert 60 configured over the top opening 22 of the collapsible bin 20 for insertion down into the collapsible bin to support and retain the wall of the collapsible bin in an open configuration. The base support insert 60 has a base fold feature 65 extending across the base support insert to enable the base support insert to fold. As described herein the base fold feature may be centrally located to enable the base support insert to fold in half. A folding tab 68 is configured on the base interior surface 66 to enable the base support insert to be easily removed from within the collapsible bin 20.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 3, the exemplary freezer bin system 10 is configured with the wall divider panel removed and with a base support insert 60 inserted down to the base of the collapsible bin, over a base fabric member. The bin divider attachments 27, 27 extend vertically along the interior of the foldable side walls 40, 40 respectively and may be one component of a hook and loop fastener.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 4, a wall divider panel 70 is being inserted into the collapsible bin 20 with the first end attachment 74 and second end attachment 75 aligned with the bin divider attachments 27 on the two opposing walls, the foldable side walls. The first end attachment 74 and second end attachment 75 are configured on flaps 77, 77 respectively that are hinged with the wall divider panel to enable folding the flap inward for insertion and then pressing against the bin divider attachments 27, 27 (shown in FIG. 3) extending vertically along the interior of the foldable side walls.
[0062] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a first side wall view and second side wall view of the collapsible bin 20 of the exemplary freezer bin system in an open configuration. Both the first foldable side wall 40 and second foldable side wall 40 have bin fold feature 45, 45 respectively for folding in the side wall to collapse the collapsible bin 20. Straps 30, 30 are coupled to the respective first side wall 40 and second side wall 40. The strap 30 is coupled to the foldable side wall 40 and extends from one end coupled to the foldable side wall 40 on one side of the bin fold feature 45 to a second end coupled to the foldable side wall on a second and opposing side of the bin fold feature. The wall divider panel 70 prevents the foldable side wall 40 from folding and enables the collapsible bin to be picked up with items therein without collapsing.
[0063] FIGS. 7 and 8 show a first end wall view and second end wall view of the collapsible bin 20 of the exemplary freezer bin system in an open configuration. Neither of the first end wall 50 nor the second end wall 50 have bin fold feature.
[0064] FIG. 9 shows a top view of the collapsible bin 20 of the exemplary freezer bin system 10 in an open configuration with the base support insert 60 and a wall divider panel 70 inserted. The wall divider panel 70 has a first end attachment 74 configured on a first end and a second end attachment 75 configured on a second end of the wall divider panel. These end attachments may be hook-and-loop fastener that is configured on a flap extending from the end of the wall divider panel. The flap may pivot or fold about the end of the wall divider panel to ease of installation, wherein the flap can be folded away from the wall panel and the divider attachment extending thereon until in position and then folded to attach with the bid divider attachment, which may be a corresponding hook-and-loop fastener. The collapsible bin 20 has a first bin divider attachment 27 and second bin divider attachment 27 on opposing walls 24, 24, the foldable side walls 40, 40, which may be a corresponding or mating hook-and-loop fastener to the hook-and-loop fastener of the end attachments on the wall divider panel 70.
[0065] FIG. 10 shows a base view of the base 25 of the collapsible bin 20 of the exemplary freezer bin system 10 in an open configuration. The base fabric member 26 extends between and the walls of the collapsible bin and is supple to accommodate collapsing the collapsible bin.
[0066] Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, a base support insert 60 has a folding tap 68 on a base interior surface 66 to enable easy removal of the base support insert from the collapsible bin. The base bin surface 67 of the base support insert 60 does not have this folding tab. The base support insert 60 has a base fold feature 65 extending across the base support insert and as shown in centrally located to enable ethe base support insert to be folded in half. The base support insert has a length 61 and a width 62 as shown that correspond with the length and width of the collapsible bin to provide
[0067] Referring now to FIGS. 13 to 17, a collapsible bin 20 is collapsed and is resting on the base support insert 60 and a wall divider panel 70. In this collapsed configuration, the foldable side walls 40, 40 are folded inward and overlap a wall overlap distance 46 as shown in FIG. 13. This compact configuration is beneficial for storage.
[0068] Referring now to FIGS. 18 to 33, an exemplary freezer bin system 10 includes a collapsible bin 20 configured to collapse from an open configuration, shown in FIGS. 18 to 27, to a collapsed configuration with two opposing wall of the collapsible bin folded inward as shown in FIGS. 30 to 33. The collapsible bin 20 has four walls 24, 24, 24, 24 and a base fabric member to form an enclosure or bin having an interior 23 for receiving freezer items therein. The collapsible bin has a top 21 with a top opening 22 for receiving a base support insert 60 therein to retain the collapsible bin in an open configuration. Also, the freezer bin system 10 includes a pair of detachably attachable wall divider panels 70, 70 extending between two opposing foldable side walls 40, 40 to form a first compartment 34 and a second compartment 35 with the opposing end walls 50, 50, respectfully, as shown in FIG. 18. A third compartment 36 is formed between the two wall divider panels 70, 70 and the foldable side walls 40, 40 and is configured between the first compartment 34 and second compartment 35.
[0069] The collapsible bin 20 has two opposing foldable side walls 40, 40 and two opposing end walls 50, 50. The two opposing foldable side walls extend in parallel with each other and orthogonal to the two opposing end walls, that also extend in parallel with each other, when in an open configuration, as best shown in FIG. 9. The foldable side walls have a bin fold feature 45 that enables these foldable side walls to fold inward to collapse the collapsible bin 20. The base fabric member 26 is supple to enable collapsing the collapsible bin to a collapsed configuration. The collapsible bin has a length 41 along the foldable side wall sides of the collapsible bin as shown in FIG. 23, and a width 51 along the end wall sides of the collapsible bin as shown in FIG. 24 and a height 53 from a base to a top 21 also shown in FIG. 24.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 18, the exemplary freezer bin system 10 is configured with the two wall dividers panels 70, 70 each extending in parallel from the foldable side wall 40 to the opposing foldable side wall 40.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 19, an exemplary freezer bin system 10 is configured with the wall divider panels removed and with a base support insert 60 configured over the top opening 22 of the collapsible bin 20 for insertion down into the collapsible bin to support and retain the wall of the collapsible bin in an open configuration. The base support insert 60 has a base fold feature 65 extending across the base support insert to enable the base support insert to fold. As described herein the base fold feature may be centrally located to enable the base support insert to fold in half. A folding tab 68 is configured on the base interior surface 66 to enable the base support insert to be easily removed from within the collapsible bin 20.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 20, the exemplary freezer bin system 10 is configured with the wall divider panel removed and with a base support insert 60 inserted down to the base of the collapsible bin, over a base fabric member. The collapsible bin 20 has two bin divider attachments 27, 27 on the foldable side wall 40 and also two bin divider attachments on the foldable side wall 40, not visible in FIG. 20. The first end attachments 74, 74 and second end attachments 75, 75 are configured on flaps 77, 77, respectively, that are hinged with the wall divider panel to enable folding the flap inward for insertion of the wall divider panel and then pressing against the bin divider attachments 27 (shown in FIG. 20) extending vertically along the interior of the opposing foldable side walls. The bin divider attachments along foldable side wall 40 are not visible but extend in alignment with the bin divider attachments 27 show on foldable side wall 40.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 21, wall divider panels 70, 70 are being inserted into the collapsible bin 20 with the respective first end attachments 74, 74 and second end attachment 75, 75 aligned with the bin divider attachments on the two opposing walls, the foldable side walls 40, 40.
[0074] FIGS. 22 and 23 show a first side wall view and second side wall view of the collapsible bin 20 of the exemplary freezer bin system in an open configuration. Both the first foldable side wall 40 and second foldable side wall 40 have bin fold feature 45, 45 respectively for folding in the side wall to collapse the collapsible bin 20. Straps 30, 30 are coupled to the respective first foldable side wall 40 and second foldable side wall 40.
[0075] FIGS. 24 and 25 show a first end wall 50 view and second end wall 50 view of the collapsible bin 20 of the exemplary freezer bin system in an open configuration. Neither the first end wall 50 nor the second end wall 50 have bin fold feature.
[0076] FIG. 26 shows a top view of the collapsible bin 20 shown in FIG. 18, in an open configuration with the base support insert 60 and a wall divider panels 70, 70 inserted. The wall divider panels 70, 70 each have a first end attachment 74, 74 respectively, configured on a first end and a second end attachment 75, 75 respectively, configured on a second end of the wall divider panel. These end attachments may be hook-and-loop fastener that are configured on a flap extending from the end of the wall divider panel. The flap may pivot or fold about the end of the wall divider panel to ease of installation, wherein the flap can be folded away from the wall panel and the divider attachment extending thereon until in position and then folded to attach with the bid divider attachment, which may be a corresponding hook-and-loop fastener. The collapsible bin 20 has a first bin divider attachment 27 and second bin divider attachment 27 on opposing wall 24, 24, the foldable side walls 40, 40, which may be a corresponding or mating hook-and-loop fastener to the hook-and-loop fastener of the end attachments on the wall divider panel 70.
[0077] FIG. 27 shows a base view of the base 25 of the collapsible bin 20 of the exemplary freezer bin system 10 in an open configuration. The base fabric member 26 extends between and the walls of the collapsible bin and is supple to accommodate collapsing the collapsible bin.
[0078] Referring now to FIGS. 28 and 29, a base support insert 60 has a folding tap 68 on a base interior surface 66 to enable easy removal of the base support insert from the collapsible bin. The base bin surface 67 of the base support insert 60 does not have this folding tab. The base support insert 60 has a base fold feature 65 extending across the base support insert and as shown in centrally located to enable ethe base support insert to be folded in half. The base support insert has a length 61 and a width 62 as shown that correspond with the length and width of the collapsible bin to provide a secure and supportive fit within the base of the interior of the collapsible bin.
[0079] Referring now to FIGS. 30 to 33, a collapsible bin 20 is collapsed and resting on the base support insert 60 and a wall divider panel 70. In this collapsed configuration, the foldable side walls 40, 40 are folded inward and overlap a wall overlap distance 46 as shown in FIG. 13. This compact configuration is beneficial for storage.
[0080] FIG. 34 shows a top view of a collapsible bin 20 having a wall divider panel 70 extending from one wall 24 to an opposing wall 24, or from the first foldable side wall 40 to the second foldable side wall 40. The collapsible bin 20 also has a compartment divider panel 80 extending from the wall divider panel 70 to wall 24 or an end wall 50. The compartment divider panel 80 has first end attachment 84 detachably attached to the compartment attachments 28 on the end wall 50 and a second end attachment 85 detachably attached to the panel attachment 78 on the wall divider panel 70. Any number of compartment divider panels may be included with a collapsible bin including compartment divider panels on opposing sides of the wall divider or extending across the first compartment 34 and also extending across the second compartment 35. The compartment divider panel creates a first compartment section 86 and second compartment section 87. The first and second compartment sections may be equal in size or different in size.
[0081] As shown in FIG. 35, a wall panel 90 is a composite wall panel having a structural component 91, a rigid component that provides structural stability for the wall panel. An exemplary structural component is plastic and comprises structural voids 92 to reduce the weight, cost while providing effective stiffness. A bin fold feature 45 is a gap or space between two sections of structural components having a structural gap distance 97. This gap distance of about 2 mm or more, about 4 mm or more, about 5 mm or more, about 10 mm or less, about 8 mm or less or from about 2 mm to about 10 mm, enables the two structural components to fold. An interior fabric 94 extends along the interior 93 of the wall panel 90 and an exterior fabric 98 extends along an exterior 99 of the wall panel 90. Stitching 95 couples the interior fabric 94 to the exterior fabric 98. This prevents the structural components from sliding and becoming displaced. A film layer 96, that is waterproof, as defined herein, extends along a wall panel 90, such as between the interior fabric 94 and structural component 91 to prevent any liquid leaking from within the interior of the collapsible bin. The wall panel 90 shown in FIG. 35 may represent a foldable side wall, a base support insert, or the wall and/or compartment divider panels and the stitching and gap distance may enable folding of said panel while also providing structure support required. The wall and compartment divider panels fold along the flap.
[0082] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. Specific embodiments, features and elements described herein may be modified, and/or combined in any suitable manner. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications, combinations and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
