Collapsible receptacle

Abstract

A collapsible receptacle has an open top and closed bottom when open, as well as a plurality of adjacent rectangular side panels, each of which defines a peripheral edge that is formed of a bottom edge, a top edge and two spaced substantially parallel lateral edges, as well as an interior area that is enclosed by the edges of each panel. A panel of substantially flexible sheet material fills the enclosed area of each side panel. The adjacent side panels are flexibly joined at their lateral edges to define, when open, a receptacle with a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along in the direction of these lateral edges. The edges define a polygon with a number of sides equal to the number of side panels and open at top and bottom edges, and a cover connected to the bottom edge of at least one side panel for closing the receptacle at its bottom end. The invention is also comprised of first and second stiffening means. The first stiffening means selectively stiffens each edge of at least one of the side panels, and second stiffens fewer than all the edges of at least one of the remaining side panels. These stiffening means are sufficiently flexible that the stiffened panel can be bent to collapse at least some of the other panels into a substantially co-planar shape, and the first stiffening means is sufficiently rigid to support and maintain all the side panels in an upright condition when not in a collapsed position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A collapsible receptacle having an open top and closed bottom in an open condition, said collapsible receptacle comprising: 
 a plurality of adjacent rectangular side panels, each of said side panels defining a peripheral edge formed of a bottom edge, a top edge and two spaced substantially parallel lateral edges, and an interior area enclosed by said peripheral edge of each panel; a panel of substantially flexible sheet material filing said enclosed area of each of said side panels, adjacent side panels being flexibly joined at said lateral edges to define, in an open condition, a receptacle having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along in the direction of said lateral edges defining a polygon having a number of sides equal to the number of said plurality of side panels and open at said top and bottom edges; a cover connected to the bottom edge of at least one side panel to close said receptacle at a bottom end of the receptacle,    first stiffening means for selectively stiffening each of said edges of at least one of said side panels; and    second stiffening means for selectively stiffening fewer than all of said edges of at least one of the remaining side panels, said first and second stiffening means being sufficiently flexible that said panel can be bent to collapse at least some of said panels into a substantially co-planar shape, and said first stiffening means being sufficiently rigid to support and maintain all said side panels in an upright or extended condition when not maintained in a collapsed position.    
     
     
         2 . A collapsible receptacle as defined in  claim 1 , wherein four rectangular side panels are provided and the resulting polygon is a square.  
     
     
         3 . A collapsible receptacle as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said first stiffening means comprises a continuous stiffening member secured to the entire periphery of said at least one of said side panels.  
     
     
         4 . A collapsible receptacle as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said second stiffening means comprises a discontinuous stiffening member secured to a portion of the entire periphery of said at least one of the remaining of said side panels.  
     
     
         5 . A collapsible receptacle as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said discontinuous stiffening member is formed of a single stiffening member that extends partially about an associated peripheral edge of said at least one of the remaining of said side panels.  
     
     
         6 . A collapsible receptacle as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said discontinous stiffening member is formed of at least two stiffening members each partially extending about an associated peripheral edge of said at least one of the remaining of said side panels.  
     
     
         7 . A collapsible receptacle as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first stiffening means comprises stiffening members associated with approximately one half of said side panel.  
     
     
         8 . A collapsible receptacle as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said second stiffening means comprises stiffening members associated with approximately one half of said side panels.  
     
     
         9 . A collapsible receptacle as defined in  claim 1 , wherein an even number of side panels are provided and said first and said second stiffening means alternative with successive side panels.  
     
     
         10 . A collapsible receptacle as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said flexible sheet material comprises a mesh fabric material.  
     
     
         11 . A collapsible receptacle as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a least one of said stiffening means comprises straight members.  
     
     
         12 . A collapsible receptacle as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said stiffening means comprises curved members.  
     
     
         13 . A collapsible receptacle as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one of said edges are provided with elongate tubular sleeves or pockets and at least one of said stiffening means are elongate flexible members received with said sleeves or pockets.  
     
     
         14 . A collapsible receptacle as defined in  claim 13 , wherein alternate side panels are provided about their peripheral edges with continuous sleeves or pockets and continuous stiffening means contained within said pockets.  
     
     
         15 . A collapsible receptacle as defined in  claim 14 , wherein remaining side panels are provided with sleeves or pockets along selected portions of said peripheral edges thereof.  
     
     
         16 . A collapsible receptacle as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said selected portions include said top and bottom edges.  
     
     
         17 . A collapsible receptacle as defined in  claim 14 , wherein handles are attached to said top edges of opposing panels provided with continuous sleeves or pockets.  
     
     
         18 . A collapsible receptacle as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said stiffening means are formed of metal strips.  
     
     
         19 . A collapsible receptacle as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said stiffening means are formed of plastic rods.  
     
     
         20 . A collapsible receptacle as defined in  claim 1 , wherein adjacent panels are flexibly joined at said lateral edges by means of a flexible hinge.