Collapsible container having recessed lid locking latches

Abstract

A container includes a base having both side and end walls connected thereto to form a body having an opening at the top closed by a removable lid. The walls are made of a double walled construction and include an outer panel and an inner panel. An inwardly recessed ledge is formed adjacent the top to receive and mate with a lower rim of the lid. At least one latch member is mounted completely within an upper portion of each of two opposed walls and is movable between a locked and an unlocked position to lock or unlock the lid on the body of the container.

1 . A container comprising: 
 a base;    opposed side walls and opposed end walls connected to said base to form a body having an opening at a top thereof;    a removable lid for opening and closing said top opening, said lid having a lower rim flange extending around a bottom thereof;    each of said side and end walls comprising an outer panel and an inner wall connected together to form a double walled construction having a thickness;    an inwardly recessed ledge formed adjacent a top outer portion of each of said side and end walls to form an inwardly recessed ledge extending around the top of said body, said ledge mating with and supporting said lower rim flange of said lid when said lid is in a position closing said top opening; and    at least one latch mounted within an upper portion of each of said opposed side walls or an upper portion of each of said opposed end walls and movable between a locked position locking said lid on said body and an unlocked position wherein said lid is not locked on said body.    
   
   
       2 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein said latch comprises a movable bolt member within one of said walls, said top of said body has a slot into which an end of said bolt extends and said lid has a downwardly extending catch member whereby when said lid is mounted on said body, said one end of said bolt engages said catch member in said slot to lock said lid on said body;  
   
   
       3 . A container according to  claim 2 , wherein two oppositely disposed and spaced latches are mounted in each of said opposed side walls or each of said opposed end walls;  
   
   
       4 . A container according to  claim 2 , wherein said movable bolt is biased by a spring towards said slot to cause one end of said bolt to normally extend into said slot whereby said catch member pushes said bolt away from said slot against the force of said spring as said lid is mounted on said top and said bolt automatically returns to a position having one end extending into said slot to engage said catch member.  
   
   
       5 . A container according to  claim 4 , wherein said outer panel of a wall having a latch mounted therein has a pinch recess formed therein adjacent said latch.  
   
   
       6 . A container according to  claim 2 , wherein said movable bolt has an operating handle extending therefrom which is grasped by an operator to manually move said bolt into and out of engagement with said catch member.  
   
   
       7 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein said side walls and end walls are each pivotally connected to said base to form a collapsible container.  
   
   
       8 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said side walls and end walls have smooth interior and exterior surfaces.  
   
   
       9 . A container according to  claim 8 , wherein said base has a bottom exterior surface with a smooth central surface portion.  
   
   
       10 . A container according to  claim 8 , which further comprises a pair of spaced handles in each of said side walls, said handles being recessed in said walls so as to not protrude outwardly therefrom.  
   
   
       11 . A collapsible container comprising: 
 a base;    opposed side walls and opposed end walls pivotally connected to said base to form a body having an opening at a top thereof, said side and end walls having smooth interior and exterior surfaces;    a removable lid for opening and closing said top opening, said lid having a lower rim flange extending around a bottom thereof;    each of said side and end walls comprising an outer panel and an inner wall connected together to form a double walled construction having a thickness;    an inwardly recessed ledge formed adjacent a top portion of each of said side and end walls to form an inwardly recessed ledge extending around the top of said body, said ledge mating with and supporting said lower rim flange of said lid when said lid is in a position closing said top opening;    at least one latch mounted within an upper portion of each of said opposed side walls or an upper portion of each of said opposed end walls and movable between a locked position locking said lid on said body and an unlocked position wherein said lid is not locked on said body; and    wherein said latch comprises a movable bolt mounted within one of said walls, said top of said body has a slot into which an end of said bolt extends and said lid has a downwardly extending catch member whereby when said lid is mounted on said body, said one end of said bolt engages said catch member in said slot to lock said lid on said body.    
   
   
       12 . A container according to  claim 11 , wherein two oppositely disposed and spaced latches are mounted in each of said opposed side walls or each of said opposed end walls.  
   
   
       13 . A container according to  claim 11 , wherein said movable bolt is biased by a spring towards said slot to cause one end of said bolt to normally extend into said slot whereby said catch member pushes said bolt away from said slot against the force of said spring as said lid is mounted on said top and said bolt automatically returns to a position having one end extending into said slot to engage said catch member.  
   
   
       14 . A container according to  claim 11 , wherein said movable bolt has an operating handle extending therefrom which is grasped by an operator to manually move said bolt into and out of engagement with said catch member.