Crate with collapsible wall

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016185487-A1
Application number	US-201615062278-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 7, 2016
Priority date	Dec 13, 2006
Publication date	Jun 30, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A crate, such as for transporting egg cartons or other items, includes a base, opposed side walls and a rear wall extending upward from the base. A front wall opposite the rear wall is selectably moveable between a closed position and a retracted, open position. In the retracted position, access to the interior of the crate is provided. In one embodiment, the front wall includes a plurality of pivotably connected sections, such that the front wall can be retracted to provide access to the interior.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A container comprising:
a base; and a plurality of side walls extending upward from the base, the plurality of side walls including a first wall, the first wall including a plurality of sections retractable together in an upright position to provide an opening into the container.

2 . The container of claim 1 wherein the plurality of sections are movable to an extended upright position at least partially closing the opening into the container.

3 . The container of claim 2 wherein the plurality of sections are pivotable relative to one another.

4 . The container of claim 3 wherein two of the plurality of sections are pivotable and slidable relative to one another.

5 . The container of claim 4 wherein the two of the plurality of sections are pivotably locked relative to one another when in a first relative position, and are pivotable relative to one another when slid from the first relative position to a second relative position.

6 . The container of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of sections includes a connector for connecting to an other one of the plurality of side walls.

7 . The container of claim 1 wherein the plurality of side walls are movable between an upright position and a collapsed position generally parallel to the base.

8 . The container of claim 1 wherein the plurality of side walls are movable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the base.

9 . The container of claim 8 wherein the first wall includes a projection connecting to an adjacent one of the plurality of side walls, the adjacent one of the plurality of side walls include a recess for accommodating the projection as the first wall is collapsed onto the base.

10 . The container of claim 1 wherein the first wall is in the retracted, upright position and wherein a similar container is stacked on the container, supported by the plurality of walls other than the first wall.

11 . The container of claim 1 wherein the plurality of walls, other than the first wall, are integrally molded with the base.

12 . The container of claim 1 wherein the container is nestable within a similar container when the plurality of walls are in an upright position.

13 . The container of claim 1 further including at least one support pivotably mounted to the container such that a similar container could be supported thereon.

14 . A container comprising:
a base; and a side wall extending upward from the base, the side wall including a plurality of sections including a first section pivotably connected to a second section, the second section pivotably and slidably connected to a third section.

15 . The container of claim 14 wherein the plurality of sections are extendable and retractable in an upright position.

16 . The container of claim 15 wherein the side wall is collapsible onto the base.

17 . The container of claim 14 wherein the side wall includes a connector for connecting the side wall to an adjacent wall.

18 . The container of claim 17 further including an adjacent wall having a recess for accommodating the projection as the first wall is collapsed onto the base.

19 . The container of claim 14 wherein the third section is integrally molded with the base.

20 . The container of claim 14 wherein the first section is the uppermost section.

Assignees

• Rehrig Pacific Co

Inventors

• Meers Ryan C
• Smyers Justin M

Classifications

• B65D21/086 Primary

  Collapsible or telescopic containers (B65D1/0292 and B65D21/068 take precedence) · CPC title

• B65D21/0212 Primary

  Containers presenting local stacking elements protruding from the upper or lower edge of a side wall, e.g. handles, lugs, ribs, grooves (B65D21/0211, B65D21/0215, B65D21/023 take precedence) · CPC title

• B65D11/184

  and one or more side walls being foldable along a median line · CPC title

• B65D21/062

  the movable parts being attached or integral and displaceable into a position overlying the top of the container, e.g. bails, corner plates (covers B65D21/064) · CPC title

• B65D21/0209

  stackable or joined together one-upon-the-other in the upright or upside-down position (B65D21/0234, B65D21/0235 take precedence) · CPC title