Container system having a base convertible from a flat sheet to a three-dimensional receptacle

Abstract

A container having a base member that is convertible from a substantially flat, collapsed condition to a three-dimensional container shape, and a rigid rim member that couples to an exposed upper edge of the base when converted to the three-dimensional container shape to impart strength, rigidity, and weight bearing characteristics to the container. A lid can be received on the rigid rim member. The container construction permits the display, storage, and transportation of large quantities of containers in relatively small volumes of space. The containers are also water resistant.

1 . A container comprising: 
 a base member deployable from at least a collapsed condition wherein the base member is a substantially flat sheet, to a folded condition wherein the base defines a receptacle having a floor and a plurality of sidewalls;    a rigid rim member received on an upper exposed edge of said sidewalls; and    said rigid rim member adapted to receive a lid thereon.    
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid rim member includes a plurality of rim walls, a laterally-extending ledge projecting from each of the rim walls, a plurality of securement snaps projecting from each of the rim walls, and a plurality of retention tab members extending downward from a distal end of the laterally-extending ledges, the plurality of retention tab members biasing the sidewalls of the base member into engagement with the securement snaps and against the rim walls of the rigid rim member.  
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the sidewalls of the base are provided with a plurality of apertures near the upper exposed edge thereof, said apertures being complementary to the securement snaps, said apertures facilitating securement of the sidewalls between the rim walls and the retention tab members of the rigid rim member.  
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein a first set of the retention tab members and a first set of the securement snaps are spaced a first distance from one another and a second set of the retention tab members and a second set of the securement snaps are spaced a second distance from one another, said second distance being different from the first distance.  
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the first distance accommodates only a single layer of the substantially flat sheet between the first set of retention tab members and the first set of securement snaps.  
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the second distance accommodates a plurality of layers of the substantially flat sheet between the second set of retention tab members and the second set of securement snaps.  
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the retention tab members and securement snaps along two opposing rim walls of the rigid rim member are spaced to accommodate a single layer of the substantially flat sheet therebetween and the retention tab members and securement snaps along the other two opposing rim walls of the rigid rim member are spaced to accommodate a plurality of layers of the substantially flat sheet therebetween.  
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the base in the collapsed condition includes a central region bounded by a pair of longitudinal fold lines spaced a predetermined distance from one another, and a pair of latitudinal fold lines spaced a predetermined distance from one another, said central region defining the floor when the base is folded to the folded condition.  
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the base further comprises first and second regions bounded by the latitudinal fold lines and outside of the central region, said first and second regions respectively defining a first and a second of said plurality of sidewalls of the container when the substantially flat sheet is folded to the folded condition.  
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the base further comprises third and fourth regions bounded by the longitudinal fold lines and outside of the central region, said third and fourth regions respectively defining a third and a fourth of said plurality of sidewalls of the container when the base is folded into the folded condition.  
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the base further comprises a plurality of corner areas, each of said corner areas spanning between one of the regions bounded by the longitudinal fold lines and outside of the central region and one of the regions bounded by the latitudinal fold lines and outside of the central region, and wherein each of the corner areas includes a diagonal fold line therein extending from a corner of the central region to a perimeter of the substantially flat sheet.  
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein each of the longitudinal fold lines and each of the latitudinal fold lines is a living hinge.  
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein each of the longitudinal fold lines and each of the latitudinal fold lines is formed by scoring the base.  
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the longitudinal fold lines or latitudinal fold lines is scored from a first direction and at least one other of the longitudinal fold lines or latitudinal fold lines is scored from a second direction.  
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein when the substantially flat sheet is lying in a horizontal plane, the first direction is above the substantially flat sheet and the second substantially flat sheet is below the horizontal plane.  
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein while converting the base to the folded condition, each of the corner areas is folded along the diagonal fold line thereof to form a flap, two of the flaps are folded toward one another along one of an interior side or an exterior side of one of the plurality of sidewalls, and two of the flaps are folded toward one another along one of an interior side or an exterior side of another of the plurality of sidewalls.  
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the substantially flat sheet of which the base is formed is a sheet of extruded plastic film.  
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the substantially flat sheet of which the base is formed is a sheet of fabric having a stiffener additive.  
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid rim member is formed of injection molded plastic.  
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 1 , in combination with a lid received on the rigid rim member.  
     
     
         21 . A container comprising: 
 a base convertible from a substantially flat sheet to a three-dimensional receptacle having an exposed upper perimeter;    a rigid rim member received on the exposed upper perimeter, said rigid rim including a plurality of securement snaps and a plurality of retention tabs opposing and offset from said securement snaps to secure at least one layer of the substantially flat sheet of the base therebetween.    
     
     
         22 . The container of  claim 21 , wherein a first set of the retention tab members and a first set of the securement snaps are spaced a first distance from one another and a second set of the retention tab members and a second set of the securement snaps are spaced a second distance from one another, said second distance being different from the first distance.  
     
     
         23 . A container comprising: 
 a base member formed of a substantially flat sheet of extruded plastic film, said substantially flat sheet including 
 a pair of longitudinal fold lines spaced a predetermined distance from one another,  
 a pair of latitudinal fold lines spaced a predetermined distance from one another, said longitudinal and latitudinal fold lines intersecting at four locations on the substantially flat sheet, and  
 a diagonal fold line extending from each intersecting location to a corner of the substantially flat sheet,  
   said substantially flat sheet being foldable along said fold lines to form a three-dimensional container shape having four sidewalls each having an exposed upper edge; and    a rigid rim member engaged with the sidewalls at the exposed upper edge of the sidewalls, the rigid rim member having 
 a plurality of rim walls,  
 a laterally-extending ledge projecting from each of the rim walls,  
 a plurality of securement snaps projecting from each of the rim walls, and  
 a plurality of retention tab members extending downward from a distal end of the laterally-extending ledges, the plurality of retention tab members biasing the sidewalls of the base member into engagement with the securement snaps and against the rim walls of the rigid rim member.  
   
     
     
         24 . The container of  claim 23 , wherein each of the sidewalls of the base member is provided with a plurality of apertures near the upper exposed edge thereof, said apertures being complementary to the securement snaps, said apertures facilitating securement of the sidewalls between the rim walls and the retention tab members of the rigid rim member.  
     
     
         25 . The container of  claim 23 , wherein the base member includes a pattern printed thereon.  
     
     
         26 . A container comprising: 
 at least one base member foldable between at least a collapsed condition wherein the at least one base member is a substantially flat sheet, and a folded condition wherein the base defines a receptacle having a floor and a plurality of sidewalls;    a rigid rim member received on an upper exposed edge of at least two of said sidewalls of each of the at least one base members; and    wherein each of the at least one base members forms a compartment of the container.    
     
     
         27 . The container of  claim 26 , including at least two of the base members, and wherein one of the base members has a different depth than at least one of the other at least one base members.  
     
     
         28 . The container of  claim 26 , wherein the rigid rim member includes 
 a plurality of rim walls,    a laterally-extending ledge projecting from each of the rim walls,    a plurality of securement snaps projecting from each of the rim walls, and    a plurality of retention tab members extending downward from a distal end of the laterally-extending ledges, the plurality of retention tab members biasing the at least two sidewalls of each of the at least one base members into engagement with the securement snaps and against the rim walls of the rigid rim member.