Collapsible container

US8210379B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Pacific Bin Corporation · US

Inventors

• Robert H. Afflerbach · Bellevue, US
• David E. Griffin · Woodinville, US
• Vipin Kumar · Minneapolis, US
• Dustin M. Miller · South Bend, US
• John R. McKnight · Braughing, GB
• Craig M. Watjen · Bellevue, US
• Peter D. Wilson · Bellevue, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 25, 2008
• Grant date: Jul 3, 2012
• Expiry date: Oct 11, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65D11/1873
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A collapsible container for containing goods, including a liquid and/or solid/liquid mixture, configured to be assembled and disassembled manually without the use of tools. The container includes a plurality of upright panels coupled to a base by their bottom portions. Each panel of a first type is flanked along its opposing upright edges by a pair of adjacent panels of a second type. Each of the edges of each of the panels is coupled by an edge joining assembly to one of the edges of one of the flanking panels. The assembly comprises a first elongated edge joining member having a longitudinal channel with alternating partially enclosed portions and substantially unenclosed portions and a second elongated edge joining member having longitudinally extending spaced apart locking members. Each unenclosed portion is configured to receive a locking member, which are slid longitudinally within the channel into an adjacent partially enclosed portion.