Container with reinforcing rigid hoop and locking arrangement

Abstract

A box-like container includes a bottom wall and two side walls formed from a single sheet of material, such as corrugated plastic, and a pair of rigid end walls are attached to the ends of the bottom and side walls by a locking mechanism. A continuous reinforcing hoop is provided along the upper edges of the side and end walls.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A container comprising: 
 a generally horizontal bottom wall and first and second generally vertical side walls joined to a pair of opposite edges of said bottom wall;    a pair of end walls respectively projecting upwardly from another pair of opposite edges of said bottom wall and extending transversely between the respective side walls, said end walls having inner surfaces disposed in spaced-apart opposed relation with one another, each said inner surface defining therein a groove, said side and bottom walls having edge portions adjacent each said end wall which are seated within the respective grooves thereof; and    a reinforcing hoop extending along upper edges of the respective side and end walls.    
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said groove in each said end wall has a U-shape which opens upwardly  
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said hoop is connected to upper edges of the respective side walls.  
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3  wherein each said end wall has an outer surface which faces away from the respective inner surface, said outer surface defining therein an elongate and sidewardly opening groove adjacent an upper edge portion of the respective end wall, and said hoop has a pair of laterally-spaced first legs connected to the respective side walls and a pair of laterally-spaced second legs which extend transversely between said first legs and are engaged within the grooves of the respective end walls.  
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 3  wherein each said end wall defines therein a continuous, elongate and sidewardly opening groove therein in which said hoop is engaged.  
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , further including a locking mechanism which cooperates between said side, bottom and end walls for securing said end walls to said side and bottom walls.  
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6  wherein said hoop has a first pair of spaced-apart legs which are connected to upper edges of the respective side walls and a second pair of spaced-apart legs which extend transversely between said first legs and are connected to the respective end walls adjacent upper edges thereof, and said locking mechanism cooperates between lower portions of said side, bottom and end walls to secure said end walls to said side and bottom walls.  
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 6  wherein upright edge portions of each said end wall each define thereon a tab, and a lower edge portion of each said end wall defines thereon a tab, a pair of laterally-spaced slots are defined in each said side wall adjacent the respective said edge portions thereof, and a pair of laterally-spaced slots are defined in said bottom wall adjacent the respective said edge portions thereof, said tabs at said upright edge portions of each said end wall being engaged within the respective slots of said side walls, said tab at said lower edge portion of each said end wall being engaged within a said slot of said bottom wall such that said end walls are fixedly secured to said side and bottom walls at both ends of said container, and said tabs and slots define said locking mechanism.  
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8  wherein said bottom wall defines a pair of said slots at each said edge portion thereof and each said end wall defines a pair of said tabs at said lower edge portion thereof which are engaged within a corresponding pair of said slots of said bottom wall.  
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said side and bottom walls are formed from a single sheet of material, and said end walls are entirely separate components from said side and bottom walls.  
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said side and bottom walls are formed from a single sheet of corrugated plastic, and said end walls are formed from a rigid molded plastic.  
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said upper edges of the respective side walls define flaps thereon, said flaps being folded downwardly and oriented in superimposed relation with respective outer surfaces of the respective side walls, wherein each said flap and the corresponding outer surface define a channel therebetween in which a portion of said hoop is engaged to secure said hoop to the respective side walls along said upper edges thereof, and each said end wall defines therein a continuous, horizontally elongate and sidewardly opening groove therein in which additional portions of said hoop are respectively engaged.  
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 6  wherein a pair of laterally-spaced slots are defined in each said side wall adjacent the respective said edge portions thereof, and a pair of laterally-spaced slots are defined in said bottom wall adjacent the respective said edge portions thereof, a plurality of tabs are slidably mounted on an outer surface of each said end wall in locations which permit said tabs to cooperate with said slots of said side and bottom walls, each said tab being slidably movable into a corresponding said slot of one of said side and bottom walls.  
     
     
         14 . A container comprising a bottom wall and a pair of generally parallel side walls which respectively project generally upwardly from a pair of opposite edge portions of said bottom wall, and a pair of end walls which respectively project generally upwardly from another pair of opposite edge portions of said bottom wall, an endless rigid hoop having a first pair of legs extending along upper edge portions of the respective side walls and a second pair of legs extending between said first legs, each said end wall defining therein a horizontally elongate groove which extends along a substantial portion of said end wall along an upper edge portion thereof and opens sidewardly along a length of said end wall, said second legs of said hoop being engaged within the respective grooves.  
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14  wherein said first legs of said hoop are disposed within channels defined in said upper edge portions of the respective side walls.  
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 14  including a one-way locking arrangement which cooperates between said side, bottom and end walls to secure said end walls to said side and bottom walls.  
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 14  including a releasable locking arrangement which cooperates between said side, bottom and end walls to fasten said end walls to said side and bottom walls.  
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 14  wherein each said end wall defines a pair of generally vertically oriented channels in which upright edge portions of the respective side walls are seated, and each said end wall defines a generally horizontally oriented channel in which an edge portion of said bottom wall is seated.  
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 14  wherein said grooves are defined in outwardly facing surfaces of the respective upper edge portions such that second legs are disposed in surrounding relation with the respective end walls.  
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 14  wherein said side and bottom walls are formed from a single-sheet of corrugated material, and said end walls are separate components from said side and bottom walls.