Collapsible storage bins

Abstract

Disclosed are rigid-walled collapsible bins having first, second, third and fourth rigid walls attached to form an open-ended rectangular box. The first and third rigid walls are opposite one another and the second and fourth rigid walls are opposite one another. The open ends define a top end and a bottom end of the box. A flexible material is attached over the bottom end of the open-ended rectangular box. The first and third rigid walls are inwardly bendable generally along a fold line such that, when bent, the second and fourth walls approach one another. A removable stiffness panel has outer dimensions substantially equal to the inner dimensions of the rectangular box when the stiffness panel is placed in a plane parallel to the plane of the bottom end of the rectangular box.

1 . A rigid-walled collapsible household storage bin comprising: 
 first, second, third and fourth rigid walls arranged so that each wall is attached to walls adjacent thereto to form an open-ended rectangular box, wherein the first and third rigid walls are opposite one another and the second and fourth rigid walls are opposite one another and wherein the open ends define a top end and a bottom end of the box;    a flexible material attached over the bottom end of the rectangular box;    wherein the first and third rigid walls are inwardly bendable generally along a fold line such that, when bent, the second and fourth walls approach one another; and    a removable stiffness panel having outer dimensions substantially equal to the inner dimensions of the rectangular box when the stiffness panel is placed in a plane parallel to the plane of the bottom end of the rectangular box.    
   
   
       2 . The bin of  claim 1  further comprising a lid attached to an end of one of the rigid walls so that the lid can substantially cover the top end of the box.  
   
   
       3 . The bin of  claim 2  wherein the lid is securable to the box by a fastener.  
   
   
       4 . The bin of  claim 2  wherein the lid is pivotally attached to the box.  
   
   
       5 . The bin of  claim 2  wherein the lid comprises an overlapping attachment portion.  
   
   
       6 . The bin of  claim 1  wherein an exterior face of each of the walls is covered with a wicker weave material.  
   
   
       7 . The bin of  claim 1  wherein an interior face of each of the walls is covered with a fabric.  
   
   
       8 . The bin of  claim 1  further comprising a divider attached to two opposite walls.  
   
   
       9 . The bin of  claim 1  wherein each of the walls comprises an extruded polymer sheet.  
   
   
       10 . The bin of  claim 1  wherein handles are secured to two of the walls.  
   
   
       11 . The bin of  claim 1  wherein the first and third rigid walls have a plurality of generally vertical fold line so that the first and third walls are inwardly bendable generally along the plurality of fold lines such that, when bent, the second and fourth walls approach one another.  
   
   
       12 . A rigid-walled collapsible household storage bin comprising: 
 first, second, third and fourth rigid walls arranged so that each wall is attached to the walls adjacent thereto to form an open-ended rectangular box, wherein the first and third rigid walls are opposite one another and the second and fourth rigid walls are opposite one another, wherein the open ends define a top end and a bottom end of the box and wherein two opposite walls comprise handles;    a flexible material attached over the bottom end of the rectangular box;    wherein the first and third rigid walls each have a generally vertical fold line so that the first and third walls are inwardly bendable generally along the fold line such that, when bent, the second and fourth walls approach one another;    a removable stiffness panel having outer dimensions substantially equal to the inner dimensions of the rectangular box when the stiffness panel is placed in a plane parallel to the plane of the bottom end of the rectangular box; and    a lid comprising an overlapping attachment portion attached to an end of one of the rigid walls so that the lid can substantially cover the top end of the box.    
   
   
       13 . The bin of  claim 12  further comprising a divider attached to two opposites walls.  
   
   
       14 . The bin of  claim 12  wherein the first and third rigid walls are inwardly bendable generally along a plurality of fold lines such that, when bent, the second and fourth walls approach one another.  
   
   
       15 . A rigid-walled collapsible bin comprising: 
 first, second, third and fourth rigid walls attached to form an open-ended rectangular box, wherein the first and third rigid walls are opposite one another and the second and fourth rigid walls are opposite one another, wherein the open ends define a top end and a bottom end of the box, wherein the first and third rigid walls are bendable along a generally vertical fold line such that, when bent, the second and fourth walls approach one another; and    a flexible material over the bottom end of the open-ended rectangular box comprising and first and a second closure, 
 the first closure being diagonally situated from a point generally adjacent the fold line of the first wall to a point generally adjacent the attachment of the second wall with the third wall, and  
 the second closure being diagonally situated from a point generally adjacent the fold line of the third wall to a point generally adjacent the attachment of the fourth wall with the third wall.  
   
   
   
       16 . The bin of  claim 15  further comprising a divider attached to an interior face of the first and third walls.  
   
   
       17 . The bin of  claim 16  wherein the divider is a rigid divider.  
   
   
       18 . The bin of  claim 16  wherein the divider is a non-rigid divider.  
   
   
       19 . The bin of  claim 15  further comprising a divider attached to an interior face of the first wall on or near its fold line and to the third wall on or near its fold line.  
   
   
       20 . The bin of  claim 15  further comprising a lid.  
   
   
       21 . The bin of  claim 20  wherein the lid is removably attached to the bin.  
   
   
       22 . The bin of  claim 15  wherein an exterior face of each of the walls is covered with a wicker weave material.  
   
   
       23 . The bin of  claim 15  wherein an interior face of each of the walls is covered with a fabric.  
   
   
       24 . A rigid-walled collapsible bin comprising: 
 first, second, third and fourth rigid walls attached to form an open-ended rectangular box, wherein the first and third rigid walls are opposite one another and the second and fourth rigid walls are opposite one another, wherein the open ends define a top end and a bottom end of the box, wherein the first and third rigid walls are bendable along a fold line such that, when bent, the second and fourth walls approach one another and wherein the walls comprise a polymer extruded sheet with an exterior face covered with a wicker weave material and an interior face covered with a fabric;    a rigid divider attached to the interior face of the first wall on or near its fold line and to the interior face of the third wall on or near its fold line; and    a flexible material over the bottom end of the open-ended rectangular box and attached at least two walls and comprising a first and a second closure, 
 the first closure being diagonally situated from a point generally adjacent the fold line of the first wall to a point generally adjacent the attachment of the second wall with the third wall, and  
 the second closure being diagonally situated from a point generally adjacent the fold line of the third wall to a point generally adjacent the attachment of the fourth wall with the third wall.  
   
   
   
       25 . The bin of  claim 23  wherein a lid is removably attached to the bin.