(12) United States Patent

Transcription

1 (12) United State Patent Overholt et al. USOO B1 (10) Patent No.: (45) Date of Patent: US 6,398,054 B1 Jun. 4, 2002 (54) COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER (75) Inventor: Trenton M. Overholt, Manhattan Beach, CA (US); William Patrick App, Alpharetta, GA (US); Gerald R. Koffelda, Hermoa Beach, CA (US) (73) Aignee: Rehrig Pacific Co., Lo Angele, CA (US) (*) Notice: Subject to any diclaimer, the term of thi patent i extended or adjuted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 day. (21) Appl. No.: 09/473,261 (22) Filed: Dec. 27, 1999 (51) Int. Cl."... B65D 6/18 (52) U.S. Cl /7; 220/15; 220/6 (58) Field of Search /6, 7, 4.28, 220/15 (56) Reference Cited U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 3,446,415 A 5/1969 Bromley 3,628,683 A 12/1971 Friedrich et al. 3,874,546 A 4/1975 Sander /6 B 513,789 2/1976 Koen 3.973,692 A 8/1976 Cloyd 4,005,795. A 2/1977 Mikkelen et al. 4, A 8/1977 Box 4, A 12/1977 Friedrich A 3/1978 Shead 4,170,313 A 10/1979 Cave et al. 4, A 1/1980 Prodel 4,300,695 A 11/1981 Hu 4,349,120 A 9/1982 DiNardo 4.591,065 A * 5/1986 Foy /6 X 4,663,803 A 5/1987 Gora 4,674,647 A 6/1987 Gyenge et al. 4,693,386 A * 9/1987 Hughe et al /7 X 4,735,330 A 4/1988 Ho /6 4,735,331 A 4/1988 Keenan et al. 4,741,032 4/1988 Hampton 4, A 8/1988 Malmanger 4,775,068 A 10/1988 Reiland et al. 4,776,457 A 10/1988 Ferraroni 4,781,300 A 11/1988 Long 4,809,874 A 3/1989 Pehr 4,846,089 A 7/1989 Cedergreen 4,887,747 A 12/1989 Otrowky et al. D S 2/1990 Malmanger 4, A * 4/1990 Foy et al /6 4923,079 A 5/1990 Foy 4.940,155 A 7/1990 Hewon A 10/1990 Chiang et al. 4,967,927 A 11/1990 Reilland et al. 4,979,634 A 12/1990 Begley 5,038,953 A 8/1991 Radar 5,048,715 A 9/1991 Wolff 5,076,457 A 12/1991 Marovki /6 5,114,037 A 5/1992 Hilli et al. (Lit continued on next page.) FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS DE A1 2/1979 EP O /1984 EP O A1 9/1985 EP O A1 12/1990 WO WO WO 86/01182 WO 97/ /1986 5/1997 Primary Examiner Steven Pollard (57) ABSTRACT A collapible container including a bae having a firt pair of oppoed uptanding member and a Second pair of oppoed uptanding member, and alo including a firt pair of oppoed ide wall each pivotably attached to the bae and orientable between an aembled poition and a Second poition. Each of the firt pair of oppoed Side wall ha a recess which mate with and receive a correponding one of the firt pair of oppoed uptanding member when in the aembled poition. The container further receive a Second pair of oppoed ide wall each pivotably attached to a correponding one of the Second pair of oppoed uptanding member and alo orientable between an aembled poition and a Second poition. 21 Claim, 31 Drawing Sheet

2 US 6,398,054 B1 Page 2 5,161,709 5,183,180 5, ,328,048 5,353,948 5, ,474,197 5,474,200 5,515,987 5,588,549 U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 11/1992 2/1993 3/1994 7/ /1994 3/ / /1995 5/ /1996 Oetreich, Jr. Hawkin et al. Hilli et al. Stein Lanoue et al. Umiker Hilli et al. Nicholon Jacque et al. Furtner 5, ,632,392 5,699,926 5, ,829,617 5,850,936 5,853,099 6,015,056 D423,217 S * cited by examiner : 4/1997 5/ /1997 8/ / / /1998 1/2000 4/2000 Simmon Oh Jacque et al. Loftu et al /6 Umiker Umiker Leard Overholt et al. Varfeldt

3 U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2002 Sheet 1 of 31 US 6,398,054 B1 S cy Fi 7 Zy S t %AA Ay AVA, Wy N C 8

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5 O U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2002 Sheet 3 of 31 US 6,398,054 B1 S 6Viit a entil ar. a 4. O Seri 2S Z 4. & R E. SE EE yaya SeS etar 12 (xss2ea 77-7 NY OHO) Q PO E. pas HE H SY S. St. y ar A 3. S. E R OO ar O W S. e ye a e al 2 ES). Y t S r S. X 24) all E333 Selecaceaeex. e NY fear C D al Satav ava f are-a-t 24-y O I al S S Ne S SeSii El Star esea r CHO V ISz -C-2 Sieae C. OHSAS O-Oala OKN -2 C- C ce y ee SecYae 1-2 C ls-2 32 R asee Sex A. Se: TC) O a asa d y H 9. t H i IN H S2 X SE

6 U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2002 Sheet 4 of 31 US 6,398,054 B1 SYTEN VG) S. Z. XEE C S S. 3 S E at: SSS S.

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10 U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2002 Sheet 8 of 31 US 6,398,054 B1

11 U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2002 Sheet 9 of 31 US 6,398,054 B1 o l n w

12 U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2002 Sheet 10 Of 31 US 6,398,054 B1 S

13 U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2002 Sheet 11 of 31 US 6,398,054 B1 WAK re

14 U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2002 Sheet 12 of 31 US 6,398,054 B1

15 U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2002 Sheet 13 of 31 US 6,398,054 B1

16 U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2002 Sheet 14 of 31 US 6,398,054 B1 A W. ES NSA A WWWW S. S y \\ N AV/ A Š W. N/A/ y/ % (Ay Ay/Ay SASW y N Y S.

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20 U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2002 Sheet 18 of 31 US 6,398,054 B1 34 S N

21 U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2002 Sheet 19 of 31 US 6,398,054 B Yaa & 2 30

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23 U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2002 Sheet 21 of 31 US 6,398,054 B1 A%AA A.

24 U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2002 Sheet 22 of 31 US 6,398,054 B1 a 44 S. M 82 22Z.

25 U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2002 Sheet 23 of 31 US 6,398,054 B1 S.

26 U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2002 Sheet 24 of 31 US 6,398,054 B1 C 7A O - Hill i Ye a: O arm r a ar it a it O, al a a: i A. y. Y ool ESO H IIHe Sindh, SEE (An2. W & S S S. S

27 U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2002 Sheet 25 0f 31 US 6,398,054 B1 : R a w O E. 2.Y Na i ISS e A aa. e eat S. R r ul-io ES O e PIC-2 Seae ee A. Y RS Sv% Nae O S e Or ys a ter ON e IC f, O e C. S tal. Na CO2S. See I EEE MINI SAE2S Sea al 2 a e gle A O ae r ES SSaaS S. -- r Saait

28 U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2002 Sheet 26 of 31 US 6,398,054 B1 S AAW A ' Ee t A S AKAAW 77 W y2, S. N W Y. A f f AV

29 U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2002 Sheet 27 of 31 US 6,398,054 B1 A AW W AA A.V.AVAAAAW W A. 4. SZZ 7A/75. Ay/A5. a-a Slee A. WSZA3A&ty

30 U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2002 Sheet 28 of 31 US 6,398,054 B1

31 U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2002 Sheet 29 of 31 US 6,398,054 B1 get. Yo. 2, ve a A& AAA' - ''ES'Av, Ye, at rail. "Z" Azazi in 22 Kr an av AAWyawaal Away away awaa SA r S AyyavaWWAVAWAWAY WAY (i. ARARAW.2%ayAvAyavay, AWSWS 272 WWSava AS 7 a ear a SAVAVS2A AS WAWAYY WAW awaway awaway af away A (A - 7 S AWAVAVAWAWAYWCAWWW YAA

32 U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2002 Sheet 30 0f 31 US 6,398,054 B1 S AW. v., v. K. ESSAA WAVAVAAAAAAW AAAkSik A. ae. A 'te A. W... a A SK AAW WAAVAAAge W I, RAAir Yve A Na AWAVAVAVSNK WWW y WW

33 O O U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2002 Sheet 31 of 31 US 6,398,054 B1 lq a. e SE - S. C C C OC a e ea C te. Ser'

34 1 COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER TECHNICAL FIELD Thi invention relate to a multi-purpoe collapible con tainer adapted for Storing, tranporting, and diplaying pro duce item and other good. BACKGROUND ART Collapible container and crate are commonly ued to tranport and Store a variety of item. Such crate are typically formed of injection molded platic and are fre quently adapted to receive perihable food item, Such a produce. When aembled, Such container are rectangular in hape, and have a flat bae Surrounded by four uptanding flat ide panel which are joined to the flat bae. When the container are not in ue, the collapible feature of the container allow the container to be folded or otherwie reduced in ize, thereby providing a deired compact ize when Storage Space i minimal. In Such collapible container, Side wall edge are nor mally joined in the corner. However, for an aembled container during ue, thi corner Sytem reult in a le rigid container due to the corner being Subjected to torional and other bending force during ue. Accordingly, the corner are commonly a focal point of StreSS in container of thi type. Moreover, the bae of the container i ubject to a relatively large amount of load when the container i filled and may frequently be lacking in the area of Stability and Strength. Becaue thee container often Stack on top of other or may have other load exerted on their uptanding panel, the Side panel may alo require enhanced Strength. Typically, When a rectangular container i collaped inwardly, firt the long wall are collaped and then the hort wall are collaped on top of the long wall. Becaue there exit a gap between the hort wall when folded, a container Stacked thereupon i not fully Supported in the area of the gap. Alo, becaue one container ret upon the wall of another container, any tranfer of top load force i tran ferred through the wall, which may reduce the durability of the container. Other container may fold the hort wall firt and the long wall Second, but thi configuration require a reduced long wall height, becaue for ideal neting condi tion with other container, the long wall in thi type of container hould not overlap when folded. Further, container are alo hipped on pallet and are commonly Strapped together to Secure them during hipping and tranport on the pallet. Such palletizing of the contain ers i often done automatically by machinery which may improperly poition the Strap, or Subject the container to unneceary StreSS. The improved container hould be capable of Stacking with Similar container when aembled and neted with Similar container when folded. The container hould alo have a Sturdy contruction and load-bearing propertie. The container hould avoid the durability concern of neting a container to ret Solely on the wall of the container ther ebelow. The container Should alo accommodate the pallet izing procedure when container are Strapped together. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION It i an object of the preent invention to provide a collapible container which ha improved Strength and top loading Stability. Moreover, it i an object according to the preent inven tion to provide a collapible diplay container which i cot effective to manufacture and efficient to aemble. US 6,398,054 B Further, it i another object according to the preent invention to provide a collapible diplay container which i capable of neting with the like container when in a collaped poition, and i alo capable of Stacking with like container when in the aembled poition. It i another object according to the preent invention to provide a container that ha a bottom which i robut and ha a deign which i Sufficiently able to Support the load placed therein. It i till another object according to the preent invention to provide a collapible container which minimize corner StreSS concentration. It i yet a further object according to the preent invention to provide a collapible container which i adapted to be palletized and which i able to have improved durability during the placement of the pallet Strap. It i Still further another object according to the preent invention to provide a collapible container which avoid the durability concern of neting a container to ret Solely on the wall of the container therebelow, allowing it to net on other portion of the container beide the wall. In carrying out the above object, feature and advantage according to the preent invention, provided i a collapible container including a bae having a firt pair of oppoed uptanding member and a Second pair of oppoed uptand ing member, and alo including a firt pair of oppoed ide wall each pivotably attached to the bae and orientable between an aembled poition and a Second poition. Each of the firt pair of oppoed Side wall ha a recess which mate with and receive a correponding one of the firt pair of oppoed uptanding member when in the aembled poition. The container further receive a Second pair of oppoed ide wall each pivotably attached to a correpond ing one of the Second pair of oppoed uptanding member and alo orientable between an aembled poition and a Second poition. The bae include a firt and Second pair of oppoed edge to which the firt pair of oppoed Side wall and the Second pair of oppoed Side wall are pivotably attached to a correponding edge. When the firt and Second pair of oppoed ide wall are oriented in the Second poition, they are oriented in one of an inwardly folded orientation and an outwardly folded orientation. In one embodiment, the bae ha a raied portion which extend between one of the firt and Second pair of oppoed Side wall. The bae may alo include a plurality of uptand ing corner member each having a recess formed therein for receiving a mating wall portion extending outwardly from the lateral edge of the firt pair of oppoed ide wall, for enhancing the Strength of the container. In another embodiment, the container may alo include a plurality of recee adapted to align and receive a palletizing Strap therein. Each of the firt pair of oppoed Side wall include a latch member dipoed thereon for latching the firt and Second pair of oppoed Side wall when oriented in the aembled poition. Accordingly, each of the Second pair of oppoed ide wall include a pair of oppoed lateral flange inwardly depending there from and formed integral there with, the lateral flange having a latch receiver formed therein. The latch receiver alo include an aperture and a flexible latch Spring member which ha a latch releae member actuable by a uer. According to the preent invention, when the container i in aembled poition and the Second poition, each lateral flange of the Second pair of oppoed Side wall i Subtan tially co-planar with the firt pair of uptanding oppoed member of the bae. The firt pair of oppoed ide wall

35 3 include a pair of oppoed lateral edge, each lateral edge having a latching member attached thereto, Such that when the container i oriented in an aembled poition, each lateral flange abut an adjacent lateral edge So that each aperture receive a correponding latching member which i fatened into poition by the latch Spring member. Thi form a Secure attachment between the firt and Second pair of oppoed ide wall. To return the container to a collaped poition from the aembled poition, each latch releae member i actuated by the uer in order to releae the latching member fatened therein. Preferably, the pair of oppoed uptanding member are centrally dipoed along the length of the bae. The pair of oppoed uptanding member have a polygonal hape, and may particularly have a trapezoidal hape. In another embodiment according to the preent invention, the collapible container i orientable in an inwardly folded poition and i adapted to receive the bae of at leat one other container thereupon in a neting orientation when the collapible container i in the inwardly folded poition. Thi collapible container include a bae which ha an upper Surface and a pair of oppoed uptanding member. Alo included are a firt pair of oppoed Side wall which are each pivotably attached to the bae and orientable in the inwardly folded poition Such that they are dipoed adjacent the upper Surface of the bae. A Second pair of oppoed ide wall are each pivotably attached to the bae and are orientable in the inwardly folded poition for reting on the firt pair of oppoed Side wall. The Second pair of oppoed ide wall when inwardly folded poition are Spaced apart with the pair of oppoed uptanding member dipoed therebetween. Thu, in the inwardly folded orientation, the Second pair of oppoed Side wall and an upper Surface of the oppoed uptanding member are co-planar to provide a Stable Surface for neting the at leat one other container thereupon. Thi other container may preferably be a container imilar to but half the ize of the lower container. The pair of oppoed uptanding member are centrally dipoed along the length of the bae. In yet another embodiment, a collapible container i provided which i orientable between an aembled poition and a collaped poition and i alo adapted to be Secured to a pallet. The container include a bae, a pair of oppoed firt Side wall pivotably attached to the bae, and a pair of Second oppoed ide wall pivotably attached to the bae and releaably attached to the pair of oppoed firt Side wall. The pair of Second oppoed Side wall have a pair of oppoed inwardly directed flange which when in the aembled poition define corner wall portion. Each of the corner wall portion having a recess formed therein for receiving and aligning pallet Strap therein which Secure the container to a imilar container. In Still another embodiment according to the preent invention, provided i a collapible container which include a bae which ha a plurality of uptanding corner member each having a recess formed therein. Alo included i a firt pair of oppoed ide wall each having a pair of oppoed lateral edge each having a linear portion and a Second portion extending outwardly from beyond the linear portion. The Second portion i received within a mating and corre ponding recess of the uptanding comer member for enhancing the Strength of the container. In till further another embodiment keeping with the preent invention, a collapible container i provided which include a bae which ha a firt and Second pair of oppoed edge. One of the firt and Second pair of oppoed edge i defined by an uptanding bae wall. The other of the firt and US 6,398,054 B Second pair of oppoed edge ha an uptanding member. Each of the firt and Second pair of oppoed edge include a plurality of lower hinge member. Alo included i a firt pair of oppoed Side wall, each having a plurality of upper hinge member for pivotably mounting to a correponding one of the plurality of lower hinge member of the firt pair of oppoed edge. At leat one of the firt pair of oppoed Side wall include a diplay member which i mounted thereto and which i movable between an open poition and a cloed poition. Further included i a Second pair of oppoed ide wall each releaably attached to the firt pair of oppoed ide wall and each having a plurality of upper hinge member for pivotably mounting to a correponding one of the plurality of lower hinge member of the Second pair of oppoed edges. The upper hinge member and the lower hinge member are pivotably mounted for moving the firt and Second pair of oppoed Side wall between an up poition and a down poition. Alo, one of the firt and Second pair of oppoed Side wall include a receed portion for receiving therein a correponding uptanding member when the container i oriented in the aembled poition. A method of neting collapible container i provided according to the preent invention and include providing a collapible container having a bae with a firt and Second pair of oppoed edge and a pair of centrally dipoed uptanding member integrally formed with the firt pair of oppoed edges. The provided collapible container further include a firt pair of oppoed Side wall pivotably attached to the firt pair of oppoed edge, and a Second pair of oppoed ide wall pivotably attached to the Second pair of oppoed ide wall. The method alo include folding inwardly the firt pair of oppoed ide wall Such that they are dipoed adjacent the bae upper Surface, and folding inwardly the Second pair of oppoed ide wall Such that the firt pair of oppoed ide wall are Sandwiched between the bae and the Second pair of oppoed ide wall. Alo included i poitioning at leat one other container on top of the inwardly folded collapible container for neting there with. The above object and other object, feature, and advan tage of the preent invention are readily apparent from the following detailed decription of the bet mode for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accom panying drawing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 of the drawing illutrate a perpective view of the collapible container according to the preent invention oriented in an aembled State; FIG. 2 i a bottom perpective view of the container of FIG. 1 oriented in the aembled State; FIG. 3 illutrate a ide elevational view of the container of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 illutrate an end elevational view of the container of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 illutrate a top plan view of the container of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 i a bottom plan view of the container of FIG. 1; FIG. 7 illutrate a perpective view of the bae of the container of FIG. 1; FIG. 8 i a partial perpective view of a ide wall of the container of FIG. 1; FIG. 9 i a perpective view of an end wall of the container of FIG. 1;

36 S FIG. 10 illutrate the container of FIG. 1 with the ide wall in an outwardly folded orientation; FIG. 11 illutrate the container of FIG. 1 with the ide wall in an inwardly folded orientation, wherein the oppoed ide wall are firt folded inwardly and then the oppoed end wall are folded inwardly; FIG. 12 illutrate the container of FIG. 1, wherein the ide wall are partially folded inwardly and the end wall are partially folded outwardly; FIG. 13 illutrate a perpective view of the container hown in the aembled State of FIG. 1, wherein the aembled container i hown in a Stacked orientation with a like container; FIG. 14 i a perpective view of the container in an inwardly folded tate a hown in FIG. 7, and which i Stacked together in a Stacked orientation with a like inwardly folded container; FIG. 15 i a perpective view of a corner portion of the container of FIG. 1 howing a mating adjacent Side wall and end wall; FIG. 16 i a perpective view of a corner portion of the container of FIG. 1 howing another mating adjacent Side wall and end wall, and hown from a different angle than that in FIG. 15; FIG. 17 i a perpective view of two like container according to the preent invention which are dipoed Side by-side and oriented in a Stacked orientation with a ingle larger container, FIG. 18 i a top plan ectional view of the aembled latching Sytem according to the preent invention, and taken along line of FIG. 8, for latching together ide wall and end wall, according to the preent invention; FIG. 19 i a top plan ectional view of the latching ytem of FIG. 16 in a diaembled orientation, with the ide wall hown Separated from the end wall; FIG. 20 i a perpective view of a corner portion of container 10 according to the preent invention; FIG. 21 i a ectional view taken along the line of FIG. 20; FIG. 22 i a ectional view imilar to that hown in FIG. 21, but with the end wall in an outwardly folded orientation; FIG. 23 i a ectional view taken along the line of FIG. 20; FIG. 24 i a ectional view imilar to that hown in FIG. 23, but with the ide wall in an outwardly folded orientation; FIG.25 illutrate a perpective view of a econd embodi ment of the container according to the preent invention; FIG. 26 illutrate a perpective view of a bae of the Second embodiment; FIG. 27 illutrate a cro-ectional view of the bae taken along the line of FIG. 26; FIG. 28 illutrate a bottom perpective view of the Second embodiment; FIG. 29 illutrate a ide elevational view of the econd embodiment; FIG. 30 illutrate an end elevational view of the econd embodiment; FIG. 31 illutrate a perpective view of the econd embodiment, wherein the Side and end wall are in an inwardly collaped poition; FIG. 32 illutrate a perpective view of the econd embodiment hown in FIG. 31 neted on a like container; FIG.33 illutrate a ide elevational view of the inwardly collaped container of FIG. 31; US 6,398,054 B1 1O FIG. 34 illutrate a perpective view of the econd embodiment of the container a hown in FIG. 25 in an aembled orientation, and Stacked with a like container; FIG. 35 illutrate a perpective view howing two con tainer according to the firt embodiment poitioned adja cent and Stacked on the container according to the Second embodiment; and FIG. 36 i a ide elevational view of the ytem hown in FIG. 35. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION With reference to FIG. 1 of the drawing, illutrated therein i collapible container 10 according to the preent invention in an aembled orientation or State. The compo nent of container 10 are typically formed of variou type of platic or polymeric material by an injection molding or other platic molding process Suitable to thi application. Container 10 may be ued for the torage and tranport of good, and may alo be referred to a a collapible crate. While container 10 i uited for many ue, container 10 i particularly Suitable for Storing and tranporting produce Such a fruit and vegetable, where circulation of air and/or refrigerated ga i neceary to keep the produce freh and conumable while it reache the market. Thi circulation i fotered through the plurality of aperture 11 and other opening provided in bae 12 and wall 28, 30, 32, 34 over the entire container 10. Container 10 i generally ymmetri cal around both it longitudinal and tranvere centerline. Container 10 include a bae member 12 having a bottom panel 14 which Serve a the lower Support for the container. Bae 12 i bet illutrated in the bottom perpective view of FIG. 2 and the bae perpective view of FIG. 7. A i bet hown in the top plan view of FIG. 5 and bottom plan view of FIG. 6, bottom panel 14 i generally rectangular in Shape. With further reference to FIGS. 1 and 6, bottom panel 14 ha four edge-namely, a pair of oppoed Side edge 16 and 18, and a pair of oppoed end edge 20 and 22. Bae 12 further include a pair of integrally molded oppoed uptanding flange 24 and 26 (or bae wall) oriented perpendicular to bottom panel 14, each defining an upper end edge 25, 27, repectively. AS i well undertood in the art, the wall thickne of each of the wall and component illutrated and dicloed herein may vary depending on the intended uage and other characteritic deired from container 10. AS further illutrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, bae 12 alo include another pair of oppoed uptanding member 70 and 72, which are integrally formed with bottom panel 14 at pair of oppoed ide edge 16, 18. While member 70, 72 are hown a having a Subtantially trapezoidal hape, it i contemplated that any number of hape may be applicable and feaible according to the teaching of the preent invention. Preferably, uptanding member 70, 72 are cen trally located along the length of ide edge 16, 18. Member 70, 72 provide additional tructural and torional tability to container 10 when in the aembled orientation of FIG. 1. Member 70, 72 alo provide tructural tability to one or more container 10 which are neted (or tacked) together when in the inwardly folded poition, a in FIGS. 11 and 14. In the orientation of FIG. 14, the lower container 10' i inwardly folded for receiving another container 10 there upon (whether upper container 10 i folded or aembled). Thu, in thi orientation, member 70', 72 receive at leat a portion of the top load from container 10, thereby allowing the top load from container 10 to be tranferred directly to bae 12 through member 70, 72. Without member 70, 72

37 7 the top load would otherwie be tranferred to the lower container through the Side wall, potentially reducing the durability and trength of the ide wall. Moreover, member 70, 72 alo allow for increaed diplay area for providing label or other marking on container 10, which ignify for example the content of the container, the manufacturer, etc. Member 70, 72 alo include a raied portion or detent 69 dipoed on it upper edge which provide a light interference between bae 12 and ide wall 28, 30, Such that when the ide wall are moving between the collaped State and the aembled State, the wall do not fall freely but neceitate uer aitance, thereby allowing the uer to aemble and diaembled the container without having to manipulate and balance all of the wall Simultaneouly. A hown in FIGS. 1-2 and 10-12, container 10 alo include a firt pair of oppoed ide wall 28 and 30, which are dipoed oppoite each other across bottom panel 14, and a Second pair of oppoed ide wall 32, 34 dipoed oppoite each other. When in the aembled orientation of FIG. 1, firt and Second pair of oppoed ide wall and bae 12 define a compartment 13 for Storing good therein. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 8, ide wall 28, 30 are bowed outward, away from compartment 13, and have an arcuate hape. Particularly, in the embodiment hown, the central portion 74, 76 of ide wall 28, 30 include the bowed (or calloped) curvature. Side wall 28, 30, repectively, are each pivotably attached to bae 12 by way of a hinging configuration or ytem 80 (bet hown in FIGS. 7-8), located at edge 16, 18 of bottom panel 14. Thu, ide wall 28, 30 fold or pivot relative to bae 12 at edge 16, 18. Such hinging ytem 80 allow ide wall 28, 30 to be foldably poitioned in three orientation: the aembled container orientation, a illutrated in FIGS. 1-2; the outwardly col lapible orientation, a illutrated in FIG. 10; and the inwardly collapible orientation, a illutrated in FIG. 11. A hown in FIG. 2, hinging ytem 80 doe not extend the length of bae 12 but terminate at a ditance away from each uptanding flange 24, 26, a well a a ditance remote from an adjacent correponding corner line 31. AS bet hown in FIGS. 8 and 10, ide wall have a lower receed edge portion 71, 73 for receiving and mating with corre ponding bae member 70, 72 when the container i in the aembled orientation of FIG.1. Side wall may alo include a mating recess 67 for receiving detent 69 therein during an aembled orientation. A previou noted and a illutrated in FIGS. 1-2, 4, and 9, container 10 further include a econd pair of oppoed ide wall 32 and 34. For eae of reference and dicuion, Second pair of oppoed ide wall i herein referred to a pair of oppoed end wall 32 and 34. Similar to ide wall 28, 30, end wall 32, 34, are alo bowed in an outward manner, having an arcuate hape where the central portion 75, 77 of end wall 32, 34 include the arcuate hape. Further, like ide wall 28, 30, end wall 32, 34 are imilarly pivotably attached to bae 12 by way of a hinging mechanim 90 which i imilar in Structure to hinging mechanim 80 decribed above. However, unlike the ide wall, end wall 32, 34 are folded relative to bae 12 at a ditance remote from bottom panel 14. Particularly, end wall 32, 34 are pivotably attached to uptanding flange 24, 26, repectively, of bae 12, proximate upper edge 25, 27, repectively, at a ditance remote from bottom panel 14. The height of uptanding bae wall flange 24, 26 define the aforementioned ditance from which end wall 32, 34 are remote from bottom panel 14. A with the other wall dicued herein, end wall 32, 34 are orientable in three US 6,398,054 B poition: aembled a hown a in FIGS. 1-2; outwardly collaped a in FIG. 10; and inwardly collaped a in FIG. 11 The bowed feature of the ide and end wall generally erve to increae the interior volume 13 of container 10, thereby allowing container 10 to Store and tranport more product. A bet hown in FIG. 9 (and alo in FIGS. 1 and 3), each end wall 32, 34 ha a U-haped cro ection formed by a main end wall portion 40, and two horter flange portion 42 and 44 integrally attached to main end wall portion 40 and located on either ide of main end wall portion 40. Flange portion 42 and 44 are each oriented perpendicular to main end wall portion 40 and, in the aembled orientation of FIG. 1, are directed inwardly toward the other end wall (32 or 34) and ide wall 28, 30. In an aembled orientation, the outer Surface of flange portion 42, 44 are generally co-planar with the non-bowed portion of ide wall Further included in container 10 i a locking or latching ytem for latching ide wall (28.30) together with end wall (32.34) to achieve the deired tability when container 10 i oriented in the aembled orientation, a illutrated in FIGS. 8 and 10. With reference to FIG. 10, provided on each lateral edge 48, 50 and 52, 54 of ide wall 28 and 30, repectively, i a latch member 56 extending outwardly therefrom. By way of example with repect to FIGS. 9 and 10, for latching purpoe, horter flange 42, 44 of end wall 32, 34 have a latch receiving ytem 58 provided for receiving latch member 56 therein. Latch receiving ytem 58 include a receiver member 59, latch receiving aperture 60 and a pring member 62 (or living hinge). Aperture 60 i appropriately ized and haped to firmly receive latch member 56. Receiver member 59 i dipoed adjacent aperture 60. Receiver member 59 i attached to end wall 32, 34 by pring member 62, thu allowing it to be flexible over it length, and particularly actuable in the Side to Side direction. Thu, a illutrated in FIG. 12, a a ide wall (28 or 30) i raied upwardly and an adjacent end wall (32 or 34) i alo raied upwardly to receive latch member 56 into the aembled orientation, aperture 60 lidingly receive latch member 56 therein, thereby flexing Spring member 62 laterally cauing receiver member 59 to move from it ret poition (ee FIG. 18). A further illutrated in the top plan ectional view of FIGS , and particularly in the final aembled poition of FIG. 18, a projection member 61 i dipoed on receiver member 59 for being received by a correponding aperture 57 formed in latch member 56. During the aembled tate, projection 61 retain latching member 56 in a Secure manner and provide the Stability deired for maintaining container 10 in the aembled poition. The depth of flange 42,44 allow for receiving therein a longer latch member 56 than would otherwie be poible. With further reference to FIGS. 18 and 19, in order to collape container 10 from the aembled orientation into the folded orientation of FIGS. 10 and 11, outer releae member 55 (acceible from the outide of container 10) of receiver member 59 i actuated and moved laterally by the uer (it movement hown in phantom in FIG. 18), and projection 61 i accordingly raied from aperture 57 in latch member 56, allowing latch member 56 to be releaed from latch receiver 58. Releae member 55 i bet illutrated in FIGS. 1, 4, and 12. The reduced StreSS concentration of the latch mechanim a provided according to the preent invention i further illutrated in FIGS. 3 and 10. By example, refer generally to

38 9 line 81 which i formed by the mating lateral edge of ide wall 28 and end wall 32 (for example, line 81 defined by lateral edge 48 of ide wall 28 and flange 42 of end wall 32). The latching that take place i paced apart from corner line 31 which otherwie i ubjected typically to relatively higher StreSS concentration force. Again referring to FIGS. 8 and 10, in addition to latch member 56, each lateral edge 48,50 and 52,54 of ide wall 28 and 30, repectively, may alo include a firt tab member 45, hown a relatively large and elongated, which project from a lower portion of it repective edge of ide wall 28 and 30 for alignment purpoe. In an aembled container 10, tab member 45 i received by a correponding opening 47 which reemble a narrow lot on horter flange 42, 44 of end wall 32, 34. The opening receive firt tab member 45 in a Secure fit for providing a manner by which to align and orient the adjoining wall, a well a Secondarily ait ing in ecurely holding ide wall (28,30) and end wall (32, 34) upright together during the aembled orientation. Moreover, upper portion of lateral edge (48, 50) and (52, 54) of ide wall 28 and 30, repectively, may alo include a econd tab member 49 which i relatively maller than firt tab member 45. Like firt tab member 45, in the aembled orientation econd tab member 49 i received by a corre ponding tab opening 51 formed in flange 42 and 44 of end wall 32,34. Tab member 49 i provided generally for align ment purpoe a well a to provide an additional point of engagement between the adjoining wall. A illutrated in FIGS. 1-4 and 8-11, container 10 pref erably include a plurality of recee 17 (or notche) around it perimeter formed in upper container edge. AS illutrated in FIG. 13, container 10 i in an aembled orientation and i tacked with a like container 10' Subjacent thereto. Com ponent of container 10' imilar to thoe of the container 10 are correpondingly numbered, with the addition of a prime () deignation. Container 10 i Stacked directly above con tainer 10' uch that each of it plurality of foot tab 15 are aligned with and are received within correponding recee 17 of container 10'. Such alignment between foot tab 15 and rece 17 provide additional tability and alignment to container 10 when in a tacked orientation with like con tainer 10'. Referring to FIG. 10, container 10 i illutrated in an outwardly folded configuration wherein ide wall and end wall are collaped and folded in an outward orientation. Thi configuration allow for improved wahing of the interior of container 10. With reference now directed to FIG. 11, hown therein i container 10 having ide wall and end wall oriented in an inwardly collaped or folded orientation. Again the term inwardly deignate a general direction of movement of the variou wall toward bae 12 and bottom panel 14. A FIGS. 11 and 14 indicate, the deign according to the preent invention allow con tainer 10 to be compactly folded for Storage and tranport. In thi orientation, ide wall 28, 30 are pivoted inward via hinging mechanim 80, 90 and folded in a layered fahion on top of bottom panel 14. FIG. 11 illutrate ide wall 28 folded firt and ide wall 30 ubequently folded thereupon. Subequently end wall 32 and 34 are folded inward on top of ide wall 28 and 30 via hinging ytem 90. With reference to FIG. 14 and dicued further herein, container 10 may be neted ecurely with a imilar container when in thi inwardly folded orientation. Note that when in thi orientation, flange portion 42, 44 are Subtantially parallel with member 70, 72. A hown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each end wall 32, 34 include a hand opening 39 ideally Suited to be ued a a handle in US 6,398,054 B order to carry container 10. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, container 10 alo include a plurality of flexible vertical tab 93 formed integrally with ide wall 28, 30 and end wall 32, 34 o that a label, index card or other identifier may be inerted and held therein. With regard to hinging Sytem of container 10, hown in aociation with the individual perpective view bae 12 of FIG. 7 and the wall of FIGS. 8 and 9, are the hinging ytem 80 (for ide wall 28, 30) and 90 (for end wall 32, 34). Specifically, hinging ytem 80 and 90 include a plurality of lower hinge portion 82 and 92, repectively, integrally formed with bae 12 to mate with and attach to upper hinge member 84 and 94, repectively, included on the correponding wall (See FIGS. 7, 8, and 9). Thee hinge member are Spaced apart generally on each Side of uptand ing member 70, 72. Mating upper hinge portion 84, 94 are Spaced along their repective lower edge of Side wall (28.30) and end wall (32.34), repectively, formating with correponding lower bae hinge member 82, 92 of bae 12. Of coure, thi type of hinge i hown by way of example and not limitation, a the hinge Sytem utilized may be any type known or contemplated which i feaible for thi ue. With further reference to the hinging ytem, bae 12 include at either end of uptanding flange an uptand ing corner member portion 33 which project upward pat upper edge 25 and 27 and i integrally formed with uptanding flange 24, 26. Each corner portion 33 include two opening 19 and 21 formed therein. Each corner portion 33 alo define a corner line 31. Opening 19 i located relatively lower and opening 21 i located relatively higher along the height of corner portion33. Each co-linear pair of opening 19 i provided to receive a correponding projec tion 36 (hown in FIG. 8) provided at each end of a correponding ide wall (28, 30) for providing an additional pivoting point for each Side wall with repect to bae 12. Converely, each co-linear pair of opening 21 hare an axi generally adjacent upper Surface (25.27) of uptanding wall A hown in the ectional view of FIGS. 21 and 22, opening 21 are provided to receive a correponding pro jection 37 (ee FIG. 9) provided at either end of each end wall (32.34) thereby allowing each end wall to pivot with repect to bae 12. Thu opening 19 and 21 provide for an additional pivot point and anchor point along the lateral Side of each wall, thu allowing for a table hinging configuration and attachment to bae 12 of each wall. A illutrated in the ectional view of FIGS. 23 and 24, the lower edge of each Side wall may include a relatively Small detent 23 (or ridge) which i received in a correpond ing channel in bae 12. Referring again to FIGS. 21 and 22, the ide wall may include a projection 53 which extend along the edge of the Sidewall that mate with and corre pond to corner portion 33, and i received by a mating channel 38. Thee projection allow for interference between the wall the correponding bae and corner portion, Such that when the wall are moving between the aembled and the collaped orientation, the wall prefer ably do not fall freely, but intead require aitance from the uer (however minimal). Thu, during container aembly, the uer doe not need to Support all four wall when attempting to aemble the container. A hown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 15, ide wall (28, 30) have a portion 65 that extend into recess 46 in the corner area and project outboard beyond edge 48, 50. Initial tudie indicate that portion 65 generally provide for a Stronger container, in term of Strength-to-weight ratio, particularly during top loading of container 10. FIGS. 2 and 6 illutrate bottom Surface 63 of container 10 and illutrate the feature which permit neting of Similar

39 11 container 10 on top of each other when they are in the inwardly folded orientation (a in FIG. 11). Thi deign permit an inwardly collaped container 10 to be Stacked on top of a like folded container So that the reulting Stack-up i table (ee FIG. 14). In an embodiment, thi deign of container 10 i alo adapted to be poitioned ide-by-ide with a imilar container 10' and tacked on top of an aembled larger container 200 (ee FIGS. 17 and 35 36). Thu, feet 15 on bottom Surface 63 of container 10 are Securely received by correponding opening 202 formed in the upper edge of container 200. (Larger container 200 may particularly be repreented by container 110 dicloed herein.) With reference to FIG. 14, illutrated i a perpective view of a pair of container 10 and 10' according to the preent invention which are inwardly folded a hown in FIG. 11 and which are in a neted orientation. With further reference to FIG. 2, illutrated i the bottom perpective view of container 10, Such that the feature that permit for neting when container 10 i in the inwardly collaped tate of FIG. 11 are hown. For example in FIG. 2, bottom urface 63 of bottom member 14 include a firt and econd tranvere rece portion 86 and 88 which are poitioned among the downwardly projection rib portion of bottom urface 63. Tranvere rece portion 86, 88 received therein the upper portion 85, 87 of end wall 32, 34 when in the inwardly folded tate of FIG. 11. Thi impede the lateral movement of container 10 on container 10' when container 10' i in the inwardly folded State. Similarly, bottom projecting portion 96 and 98 of bottom Surface 63 are received within recee 95, 97 of end wall 32, 34. Bottom projecting portion 89 i received within the area 99 defined between upper portion 95, 97 of end wall 32, 34 when in the inwardly collaped tate of FIG. 11. Thu, bottom urface 63 deign of container 10 mate with and accommodate the correponding outer urface of inwardly folded end wall 32", 34' of Subjacent container 10' to provide for a table and ecure neted configuration. In keeping with the preent invention, it i fully contemplated that bottom urface 63 of bae 12 may be deigned to provide the proper rib pattern and recee to be capable of accommodating variou end wall height. It i alo contemplated that there are numerou way of Securely Stacking container according to the preent invention and i not limited in any way to the deign illutrated. Referring to FIGS. 1, 11, and 15, container 10 alo include a notch or rece 91 which ha a radiu and define a generally angled Surface dipoed at the corner line 31 of each end wall 32, 34. Notch 91 typically receive a nylon Strap (not hown) which i ued to Strap container 10 together Securely, generally in an automatic palletizing pro cess. In typical container without recess 91, the container may be Subject to exceive forced by the pallet Strap, wherein the pallet Strap may be pulled too tight, cauing damage to the container. Notch 91 provide a way to align the Strap and provide eae of placement of the Strap, Such that in the automated palletizing proce, the Strap will work it way into notch 91, and reduce the likelihood of damage of container 10. Notch 91 i alo particularly located in an area of container 10 which ha relatively greater Strength and Stability than other area of the container in order to withtand the trapping force (in container 10, that area being adjacent the latch mechanim and the flanged portion 42, 44 of end wall 32, 34). With reference to FIG. 25, illutrated i another embodi ment of the container according to the preent invention, deignated a container 110. Note that thoe component Similar to the firt embodiment are deignated by a like US 6,398,054 B reference number with the addition of a 1 prefix. A illutrated therein, ide wall 128, 130 include bowed out portion 174, 176, and end wall 132,134 include bowed out portion 175, 177. Bae alo include uptanding member 170, 172, imilar to thoe of the firt embodiment. FIG. 26 illutrate a top perpective view of a bae 112 of the econd embodiment of container 110, while FIG. 28 i a bottom perpective view of bae 112. FIG. 27 i a cro ectional view taken along the line of FIG. 26. Referring to thee drawing, bae 112 ha a bottom panel 114 which include at leat one curved portion-and pref erably two curved portion 141, 143-which extend between edge 116 and 118, the curved portion being bowed upward with a relatively light arcuate hape, intead of having a typical flat profile. Thi curved portion i illutrated to be wave-like or Sinuoidal, and dipoed in the central portion of bottom panel 114. Thi bowed feature of bottom panel 114 erve to add tability to the container and augment the life of the container, a well a provide pro tection to the content of containers Stacked therebelow. Particularly, when container 110 i filled or ha good placed therein, the weight of the good will exert load upon bottom panel 114. Under thi load, the bowed deign of bottom panel 114 will tend to caue bottom 114 to flatten. Thi i deirable in comparion to a container having a typically flat bottom which under the ame load decribed above, will tend to Sag and bow downward, thereby, decreaing the container' Strength, Stability, and life, and alo poibly cauing damage to the content of the container therebelow. Alo, when container 110 i adapted to Store and tranport produce Such a banana bunche, the bowed feature of bottom panel 114 i adapted to be received within the claw hape of the banana bunch, thereby providing a more table tranport and more Secure packaging of the fruit. FIG. 29 i a ide elevational view of container 110 in an aembled orientation, a in FIG. 25. A illutrated, like the firt embodiment, container 110 alo include notch 191 for the palletizing Strap, and further include the portion of Side wall 128, 130 which extend into and mate with a corre ponding recess 146 in the corner region, proximate the corner hinge connection. FIG. 30 i an end elevational view again illutrating feature of end wall 134. FIG. 31 illutrate container 110 in an inwardly folded orientation. A FIGS. 31 and 32 indicate, the deign accord ing to the preent invention allow container 110 to be compactly folded for Storage and tranport. In thi orientation, ide wall 128, 130 are pivoted inward via hinging mechanim 180 and folded in a layered fahion on top of bottom panel 114. FIG. 32 illutrate that ide wall 128 and 130 are folded firt, and ubequently, end wall 132,134 are folded inward on top of ide wall 128, 130 via hinging ytem 190. With reference to FIG.32 and dicued further herein, container 10 may be neted ecurely with a Similar container when in thi inwardly folded orientation. For example, in thi orientation, feet 115 hown on bae 112 in FIG. 28 mate with notche 181, for example, dipoed on member 170, 172. A previouly mentioned, bae 112 may have variou deign which allow it to Securely net with a imilar container 110' in the inwardly folded poition a in FIG. 32, without departing from the teaching according to the preent invention. FIG.33 i a ide elevational view of container 110 in the inwardly folded orientation of FIGS FIG. 34 i a perpective view of container 110 in an aembled and Stacked orientation with a Similar container 110'. A with the inwardly folded orientation, feet 115 of container 110 are received within correponding recee 117 formed in the upper edge of container 110'.

40 13 FIG.35 illutrate a perpective view of a tacking ytem 200 howing two container 10 according to the firt embodiment poitioned ide-by-ide with ide wall 28 of one container adjacent ide wall 30 of the other. Container 10 are tacked on inwardly folded container 110 according to the econd embodiment. FIG. 36 i a ide elevational view of the ytem hown in FIG. 35. A illutrated, when container 110 i folded inwardly, oppoed uptanding mem ber 170,172 provide upport to the two upper container 10 in the gap area between horter end wall 132, 134, thu allowing the two container 10 to be Supported over a greater area, and thu providing a more durable Stacking Sytem 200. Thi i particularly true when the upper container 10 are half-ize container a illutrated in FIGS , and therefore have adjacent portion which meet centrally across container 110 and which would not be completely and fully upported without oppoed uptanding member 170, 172. Note that the container 10 in thi tacking ytem 200 need not be one-half the ize of the lower container 110 in order to achieve the object according to the preent invention, but may be another full ize container 110. Further, while FIGS illutrate that upper container 10 are in their aembled poition on container 110, upper container 10 may alo be inwardly collaped a in FIG. 11 according to the teaching of the preent invention. Such central Support doe not otherwie exit in the prior art in container where the hort wall are folded lat. Note that in accordance with the preent invention, the feature and component illutrated and dicloed in ao ciation with the firt embodiment may equally apply to the Second embodiment, and Vice vera. It i undertood, of coure, that while the form of the invention herein hown and decribed include the bet mode contemplated for carrying out the preent invention, they are not intended to illutrate all poible form thereof. It will alo be undertood that the word ued are decriptive rather than limiting, and that variou change may be made without departing from the Spirit or Scope of the invention a claimed below. What i claimed i: 1. A collapible container, compriing: a bae having a firt pair of oppoed uptanding member and a Second pair of oppoed uptanding member, a firt pair of oppoed ide wall each pivotably attached to the bae and orientable between an aembled poi tion and a Second poition, each of the firt pair of oppoed Side wall including a recess for mating with and receiving a correponding one of the firt pair of oppoed uptanding member when in the aembled poition; and a Second pair of oppoed ide wall each pivotably attached to a correponding one of the Second pair of oppoed uptanding member and orientable between an aembled poition and a Second poition, wherein the bae further include a plurality of uptanding corner member each having a recess formed therein, and wherein each of the firt pair of oppoed ide wall ha a lateral edge and a portion extending outwardly from the lateral edge and received within a correpond ing recess of the uptanding corner member, for enhancing the Strength of the container. 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the bae include at leat one raied portion extending longitudinally between the Second pair of oppoed uptanding member and di poed in a central region of the bae inward from the bae perimeter. US 6,398,054 B The container of claim 1, wherein one of the firt and Second pair of oppoed ide wall include a plurality of recee adapted to receive a palletizing Strap therein when the wall are oriented in the aembled poition. 4. The container of claim 1, wherein each of the firt pair of oppoed ide wall include a latch member dipoed thereon for latching the firt and Second pair of oppoed Side wall when oriented in the aembled poition. 5. The container of claim 1, wherein each of the econd pair of oppoed Side wall each include a pair of oppoed lateral flange inwardly depending therefrom and integral there with, each lateral flange having a latch receiver formed therein. 6. The container of claim 5, wherein in the aembled poition and the Second poition, each lateral flange of the Second pair of oppoed ide wall i Subtantially co-planar with the firt pair of uptanding oppoed member of the bae. 7. The container of claim 5, wherein the latch receiver include an aperture and a flexible latch Spring member and having a latch releae member actuable by a uer. 8. The container of claim 7, wherein the firt pair of oppoed ide wall include a pair of oppoed lateral edge, each lateral edge having a latching member attached thereto, wherein when the container i oriented in an aembled poition, each lateral flange abut an adjacent lateral edge So that each aperture receive a correponding latching member which i fatened into poition by the latch Spring member, thereby forming a Secure attach ment between the firt and Second pair of oppoed Side wall, and wherein to return the container to a collaped poition from the aembled poition, each latch releae member i actuated by the uer in order to releae the latching member fatened therein. 9. The container of claim 1, wherein the bae include a firt and Second pair of oppoed edge, the firt pair of oppoed ide wall and the Second pair of oppoed Side wall pivotably attached to a correponding one of the firt and Second pair of oppoed edge. 10. The container of claim 1, wherein the firt and econd pair of oppoed ide wall are oriented in the Second poition, they are oriented in one of an inwardly folded orientation and an outwardly folded orientation. 11. The collapible container of claim 1, wherein the pair of oppoed uptanding member are centrally dipoed along the length of the bae. 12. The collapible container of claim 1, wherein the pair of oppoed uptanding member have a trapezoidal hape. 13. A collapible container orientable in an inwardly folded poition and adapted to receive the bae of at leat one other container thereupon in a neting orientation when the collapible container i in the inwardly folded poition, the collapible container compriing: a bae having an upper Surface, firt and Second pair of oppoed edge, and a pair of oppoed uptanding member integrally formed with the firt pair of oppoed edge, a firt pair of oppoed Side wall each pivotably attached to the firt pair of oppoed edge and orientable in the inwardly folded poition; a Second pair of oppoed ide wall each pivotably attached to the Second pair of oppoed edge and orientable in the inwardly folded poition for reting on the firt pair of oppoed ide wall, the Second pair of oppoed Side wall in the inwardly folded poition being Spaced apart with the pair of oppoed uptanding member dipoed therebetween,

41 15 wherein the Second pair of oppoed ide wall and an upper Surface of the oppoed uptanding member provide a table Surface for neting the at leat one other container directly thereupon. 14. The collapible container of claim 13, wherein the pair of oppoed uptanding member are centrally dipoed along the length of the firt pair of oppoed edge. 15. A container, compriing: a bae having a firt pair of oppoed uptanding member, a firt pair of oppoed ide wall pivotably attached to the bae at a location Spaced from the firt pair of oppoed uptanding member and orientable between an aembled poition, an outwardly folded poition, and an inwardly folded poition; and a Second pair of oppoed Side wall pivotably attached to the bae and attached to the firt pair of oppoed Side wall, the Second pair of oppoed Side wall defining corner wall portion, each of the corner wall portion having a recess formed therein for receiving pallet Strap for Securing the container to a imilar container. 16. A collapible container compriing: a bae having a pair of oppoed uptanding member and a plurality of uptanding corner member each having a recess formed therein; and a pair of oppoed Side wall each pivotably attached to the bae and orientable between an aembled poition and a Second poition, each of the pair of oppoed Side wall including a cutout portion formed therein for receiving a correponding one of the pair of uptanding member, the pair of oppoed ide wall each further having a pair of oppoed lateral edge, each lateral edge having a linear portion and a Second portion extending outwardly from beyond the linear portion, the Second portion received within a correponding recess of the uptanding corner member for enhancing the Strength of the container. 17. A method of neting collapible container compri ing: providing a collapible container having a bae with a firt and Second pair of oppoed edge and a pair of centrally dipoed uptanding member integrally formed with the firt pair of oppoed edge, the collapible container further including a firt pair of oppoed ide wall pivotably attached to the firt pair of oppoed edge, and a Second pair of oppoed ide wall pivotably attached to the Second pair of oppoed edge, pivotably folding the firt pair of oppoed ide wall inwardly; pivotably folding the Second pair of oppoed Side wall inwardly Such that the firt pair of oppoed ide wall are Sandwiched between the bae and the Second pair of oppoed ide wall and the uptanding member have upper Surface which are generally co-planar with a top Surface of the Second pair of oppoed ide wall when in the folded orientation; and poitioning at leat one other container on top of the inwardly folded collapible container for neting there with. 18. A collapible container, compriing: a bae having a firt pair of oppoed uptanding member and a Second pair of oppoed uptanding member, wherein the pair of oppoed uptanding member have a trapezoidal hape; a firt pair of oppoed ide wall each pivotably attached to the bae and orientable between an aembled poi US 6,398,054 B tion and a Second poition, each of the firt pair of oppoed ide wall including a recess for mating with and receiving a correponding one of the firt pair of oppoed uptanding member when in the aembled poition; and a Second pair of oppoed ide wall each pivotably attached to a correponding one of the Second pair of oppoed uptanding member and orientable between an aembled poition and a Second poition. 19. A collapible container, compriing: a bae having a firt pair of oppoed uptanding member defined by uptanding flange portion, and alo having a Second pair of oppoed uptanding member, a firt pair of oppoed Side wall each pivotably attached to the bae and orientable between an aembled poi tion and an inwardly folded poition adjacent the bae, each of the firt pair of oppoed Side wall including a recess for mating with and receiving a correponding one of the firt pair of oppoed uptanding member when in the aembled poition Such that an inner Surface of the firt pair of oppoed ide wall and an inner Surface of the uptanding member are generally co-planar, and a Second pair of oppoed ide wall each pivotably attached to a correponding one of the Second pair of oppoed uptanding member and orientable between an aembled poition an a Second poition dipoed above the firt pair of oppoed Side wall. 20. A collapible container orientable between an aembled orientation and an inwardly folded orientation, compriing: a bae having a firt pair of oppoed edge. With a pair of oppoed uptanding member extending upwardly therefrom, the bae further having a Second pair of oppoed edge having a correponding pair of flange extending upwardly therefrom; a firt pair of oppoed Side wall each pivotably attached to the bae, each of the firt pair of oppoed ide wall having a recess formed in a lower edge thereof for mating with and receiving a correponding one of the pair of oppoed uptanding member when in the aembled poition; and a Second pair of oppoed Side wall each having an upper edge, and a lower edge pivotably mounted to a corre ponding one of the pair of flange, wherein when the container i oriented in the inwardly folded orientation, the firt pair of oppoed ide wall are pivoted inwardly and poitioned adjacent the bae, and the Second pair of oppoed ide wall are pivoted inwardly and dipoed above the firt pair of oppoed Side wall, the upper edge of the Second pair of oppoed Side wall being Spaced apart to define a gap into which the pair of oppoed uptanding member extend Such that the upper edge of the uptanding member i co-planar with the inwardly folded econd pair of oppoed ide wall. 21. A collapible container, compriing: a bae having a firt pair of oppoed uptanding member and a Second pair of oppoed uptanding member, a firt pair of oppoed Side wall each pivotably attached to the bae at a location Spaced from the firt pair of oppoed uptanding member and orientable between an aembled poition, an outwardly folded poition, and an inwardly folded poition, each of the firt pair of oppoed ide wall including a recess for mating with