Collapsible container

Abstract

A collapsible container has four panels that fold down on a base for storage. The base has slide sockets with vertical slots. Front and rear panels pivot on the base with slide hinges received in the slide sockets. The panels are able to slide up and down. A hinge pin has a narrowed waist portion to engage a latch. Left and right panels pivot with snap hinges received in snap sockets on the base. Trunnions, disposed in the snap sockets, are eccentric to increase or decrease the backlash between the snap hinge and the snap socket as the panels pivot. The left and right panels have edge pockets that receive edge fingers on the front and rear panels to hold the container open. The front and rear panels each have an access opening with access doors. Links pivot the access doors on two hinge rods. Locking members wedge the hinge rods in the hinge knuckles. The base has feet with bumper plates having flanges that prevent the container from shifting on an adjacent lower stacked container.

1 . A collapsible container comprising:
 a base extending between opposite front and rear ends, and between opposite left and right sides, the base having a floor extending between the front and rear ends and the left and right sides, the base having a wall extending along the front and rear ends and the left and right sides, the wall projecting upward above the floor, the base having four corners where the ends meet the sides;   a front panel extending between opposite first and second edges and between opposite top and bottom edges, the front panel having inner and outer surfaces;   front pivotal means for pivotal mounting of the front panel bottom edge on the base front end, the front pivotal means allowing the front panel to be pivoted downward into a folded position adjacent the base floor, and pivoted upward into an open upright position;   a rear panel extending between opposite first and second edges and between opposite top and bottom edges, the rear panel having inner and outer surfaces;   rear pivotal means for pivotal mounting of the rear panel bottom edge on the base rear end, the rear pivotal means allowing the rear panel to be pivoted downward into a folded position adjacent the base floor, and pivoted upward into an open upright position;   a left panel extending between opposite first and second edges and between opposite top and bottom edges, the left panel having inner and outer surfaces;   left pivotal means for pivotal mounting of the left panel bottom edge on the base left side, the left pivotal means allowing the left panel to be pivoted downward into a folded position adjacent the base floor, and pivoted upward into an open upright position;   a right panel extending between opposite first and second edges and between opposite top and bottom edges, the right panel having inner and outer surfaces;   right pivotal means for pivotal mounting of the right panel bottom edge on the base right side, the right pivotal means allowing the right panel to be pivoted downward into a folded position adjacent the base floor, and pivoted upward into an open upright position;   Latching means for latching adjacent edges of the front, rear, left, and right panels together in the open position;   a plurality of feet extending downward from the base to a bottom surface so as to raise the container off a floor, the feet having an outer edge with a shoulder adapted to receive the top edges of the front, rear, left, and right panels when the container is open, and to receive the base wall when the container is folded, so as to enable containers to be stacked one upon another in both the open and closed positions; and   a bumper plate mounted on the outer edge of each of four of the feet at the corners of the base, the bumper plate being generally L-shaped and extending between opposite upper and lower edges, the bumper plate having an inner surface for mounting against the feet, and an opposite outer surface, the bumper plate having a flange extending outward and downward from the lower edge, the flange being adapted to overlap an adjacent lower stacked container, so as to prevent lateral shifting of a stacked container.   
   
   
       2 . The collapsible container of  claim 1 , wherein the left and right pivotal means further comprises:
 at least one snap hinge extending downward from the bottom edge of each of the left and right panels;   at least one snap socket in each of the base left and right sides, each snap socket being adapted to receive one of each snap hinge, each snap socket having a predetermined width;   two trunnions projecting outward from each snap hinge, the trunnions being eccentric, so as to decrease the backlash between the snap hinge and the snap socket with the panels in the open position for precise positioning of the panels, and to increase the backlash in the closed position for easy folding of the panels; and   two resilient cantilever members disposed in each snap socket, so that the cantilever members will engage the trunnions as the snap hinge is inserted downward into the snap socket, the trunnions will deflect the cantilever members resiliently away from the snap hinge until the trunnions pass the cantilever members, allowing the cantilever members to flex inward toward one another so as to capture the trunnions and retain the snap hinge in the snap socket and to hold the snap hinge generally centered in the snap socket.   
   
   
       3 . The collapsible container of  claim 1 , wherein the front and rear pivotal means further comprises:
 at least one slide hinge extending downward from the bottom edge of each of the front and rear panels, each slide hinge having a plurality of hooks extending downward and facing alternately inward and outward, the hooks defining a transverse passage having a pivot axis about which the slide hinge pivots;   at least one slide socket in each of the base front and rear ends, each slide socket being adapted to receive one of each slide hinge, each slide socket having a pair of opposed, generally vertical slots for providing lost motion;   a resilient latch extending downward in a cantilever from the bottom edge of each of the front and rear panels coextensively with the slide hinge, and disposed between the hooks; and   a hinge pin adapted to slidingly engage each slide hinge along the pivot axis, the hinge pin having a narrowed waist portion adapted to engage the latch so as to retain the hinge pin in the slide hinge, the hinge pin being adapted to engage the slots so as to allow the slide hinge to slide upward in the slide socket as well as pivot; so that   the slide hinge will be inserted downward into the slide socket, the pivot axis will be aligned with the slots, the hinge pin will be inserted axially through one of the slots and pass through the hooks, the hinge pin will deflect the latch resiliently away from the pivot axis, the waist portion will align with the latch, allowing the latch to flex with bias toward the pivot axis into the waist portion so as to retain the hinge pin in the slide hinge, and the hinge pin will pass through the opposing slot, allowing the slide hinge to rotate and translate with respect to the slide socket.   
   
   
       4 . The collapsible container of  claim 1 , wherein the latching means further comprises:
 the front panel first and second edges each having a plurality of fingers arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the edges;   the rear panel first and second edges each having a plurality of fingers arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the edges;   the left panel first and second edges each having a plurality of pockets arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the edges, the left panel first and second edge pockets being adapted to receive the rear panel second edge fingers and the front panel first edge fingers, respectively; and   the right panel first and second edges each having a plurality of pockets arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the edges, the right panel first and second edge pockets being adapted to receive the front panel second edge fingers and the rear panel first edge fingers, respectively; so that   to open the container, the left and right panels will be pivoted from a folded position lying generally flat adjacent the base, to an upright position, the front and rear panels will be pivoted from a folded position lying generally flat adjacent the base, to an upright position, and at the same time will be raised upward so that the fingers of the front and rear panels will be juxtaposed over corresponding pockets of the left and right panels, the front and rear panels will be lowered so that the fingers will be received in the pockets, thereby latching the panels at the edges thereof in the open position.   
   
   
       5 . The collapsible container of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 front and rear access doors extending between opposite outer edges and between opposite top and bottom edges, the front and rear access doors each having inner and outer surfaces, the outer edges each having a plurality of plugs arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the outer edges;   the front and rear panels each having an access opening extending between opposite outer edges and between a lower edge and the panel top edge, each access opening having a plurality of receptacles arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the outer edges, the receptacles being adapted to receive the plugs; and   door pivotal means for pivotal mounting of the front and rear access doors on the front and rear panels, respectively, the door pivotal means providing lost motion; so that   the front and rear access doors will be pivoted downward into an open position adjacent the front and rear panels respectively, and depending from the access opening lower edge, and will be pivoted upward into an upright closed position in the access opening, with the plugs juxtaposed over the receptacles, and will be lowered until the plugs are received in the receptacles, thereby latching the access doors closed.   
   
   
       6 . The collapsible container of  claim 5 , wherein the door pivotal means further comprises:
 a first row of hinge knuckles arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the front and rear panels access opening lower edges, the first row of hinge knuckles having passages therethrough in linear alignment defining a first door axis;   a second row of hinge knuckles arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the front and rear access doors bottom edges, the second row of hinge knuckles having passages therethrough in linear alignment defining a second door axis;   a front link and a rear link, each link having a third row of hinge knuckles arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the link, the third row of hinge knuckles having passages therethrough in linear alignment defining a third door axis, each link having a fourth row of hinge knuckles arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the link, the fourth row of hinge knuckles having passages therethrough in linear alignment defining a fourth door axis, the third door axis and the fourth door axis being parallel and spaced apart, the third and fourth rows of hinge knuckles being adapted to fit between the first and second rows of hinge knuckles, respectively, with the first door axis collinear with the third door axis, and the second door axis collinear with the fourth door axis; and   two hinge rods for each link, the hinge rods being straight and of a uniform predetermined radius adapted for close sliding engagement with the first, second, third, and fourth hinge knuckle passages, each hinge rod having a locking member at one end, the locking member protruding beyond the predetermined radius, so as to wedge tightly in the hinge knuckle passages, thereby retaining the hinge rods in the hinge knuckles.   
   
   
       7 . The collapsible container of  claim 5 , wherein the base, front panel, rear panel, left panel, right panel, front access door, and rear access door are molded from a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic resins and thermoset resins. 
   
   
       8 . The collapsible container of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of skid bars attached to the bottom surface of the feet, the skid bars having a cross-sectional shape; and   each of the feet having a shape in its bottom surface matching the cross-sectional shape so as to receive the skid bars.   
   
   
       9 . A collapsible container comprising:
 a base extending between opposite front and rear ends, and between opposite left and right sides, the base having a floor extending between the front and rear ends and the left and right sides, the base having a wall extending along the front and rear ends and the left and right sides, the wall projecting upward above the floor, the base having four corners where the ends meet the sides;   a front panel extending between opposite first and second edges and between opposite top and bottom edges, the front panel having inner and outer surfaces, the front panel first and second edges each having a plurality of fingers arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the edges;   front pivotal means for pivotal mounting of the front panel bottom edge on the base front end, the front pivotal means providing lost motion, the front pivotal means allowing the front panel to be pivoted downward into a folded position adjacent the base floor, and pivoted upward into an open upright position;   a rear panel extending between opposite first and second edges and between opposite top and bottom edges, the rear panel having inner and outer surfaces, the rear panel bottom edge being pivotally mounted on the base rear end, the rear panel first and second edges each having a plurality of fingers arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the edges;   rear pivotal means for pivotal mounting of the rear panel bottom edge on the base rear end, the rear pivotal means providing lost motion, the rear pivotal means allowing the rear panel to be pivoted downward into a folded position adjacent the base floor, and pivoted upward into an open upright position;   a left panel extending between opposite first and second edges and between opposite top and bottom edges, the left panel having inner and outer surfaces, the left panel bottom edge being pivotally mounted on the base left side, allowing the left panel to be pivoted downward into a folded position adjacent the base floor, and pivoted upward into an open upright position, the left panel first and second edges each having a plurality of pockets arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the edges, the left panel first and second edge pockets being adapted to receive the rear panel second edge fingers and the front panel first edge fingers, respectively;   a right panel extending between opposite first and second edges and between opposite top and bottom edges, the right panel having inner and outer surfaces, the right panel bottom edge being pivotally mounted on the base right side, allowing the right panel to be pivoted downward into a folded position adjacent the base floor, and pivoted upward into an open upright position, the right panel first and second edges each having a plurality of pockets arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the edges, the right panel first and second edge pockets being adapted to receive the front panel second edge fingers and the rear panel first edge fingers, respectively;   at least one snap hinge extending downward from the bottom edge of each of the left and right panels;   at least one snap socket in each of the base left and right sides, each snap socket being adapted to receive one of each snap hinge, each snap socket having a predetermined width;   two trunnions projecting outward from each snap hinge, the trunnions being eccentric, so as to decrease the backlash between the snap hinge and the snap socket with the panels in the open position for precise positioning of the panels, and to increase the backlash in the closed position for easy folding of the panels; and   two resilient cantilever members disposed in each snap socket, so that the cantilever members will engage the trunnions as the snap hinge is inserted downward into the snap socket, the trunnions will deflect the cantilever members resiliently away from the snap hinge until the trunnions pass the cantilever members, allowing the cantilever members to flex inward toward one another so as to capture the trunnions and retain the snap hinge in the snap socket and to hold the snap hinge generally centered in the snap socket; and that   to open the container, the left and right panels will be pivoted from a folded position lying generally flat adjacent the base, to an upright position, the front and rear panels will be pivoted from a folded position lying generally flat adjacent the base, to an upright position, and at the same time will be raised upward so that the fingers of the front and rear panels will be juxtaposed over corresponding pockets of the left and right panels, the front and rear panels will be lowered so that the fingers will be received in the pockets, thereby latching the panels at the edges thereof in the open position.   
   
   
       10 . The collapsible container of  claim 9 , wherein the front and rear pivotal means further comprises:
 at least one slide hinge extending downward from the bottom edge of each of the front and rear panels, each slide hinge having a plurality of hooks extending downward and facing alternately inward and outward, the hooks defining a transverse passage having a pivot axis about which the slide hinge pivots;   at least one slide socket in each of the base front and rear ends, each slide socket being adapted to receive one of each slide hinge, each slide socket having a pair of opposed, generally vertical slots for providing lost motion;   a resilient latch extending downward in a cantilever from the bottom edge of each of the front and rear panels coextensively with the slide hinge, and disposed between the hooks; and   a hinge pin adapted to slidingly engage each slide hinge along the pivot axis, the hinge pin having a narrowed waist portion adapted to engage the latch so as to retain the hinge pin in the slide hinge, the hinge pin being adapted to engage the slots so as to allow the slide hinge to slide upward in the slide socket as well as pivot; so that   the slide hinge will be inserted downward into the slide socket, the pivot axis will be aligned with the slots, the hinge pin will be inserted axially through one of the slots and pass through the hooks, the hinge pin will deflect the latch resiliently away from the pivot axis, the waist portion will align with the latch, allowing the latch to flex with bias toward the pivot axis into the waist portion so as to retain the hinge pin in the slide hinge, and the hinge pin will pass through the opposing slot, allowing the slide hinge to rotate and translate with respect to the slide socket.   
   
   
       11 . The collapsible container of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 front and rear access doors extending between opposite outer edges and between opposite top and bottom edges, the front and rear access doors each having inner and outer surfaces, the outer edges each having a plurality of plugs arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the outer edges;   the front and rear panels each having an access opening extending between opposite outer edges and between a lower edge and the panel top edge, each access opening having a plurality of receptacles arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the outer edges, the receptacles being adapted to receive the plugs; and   door pivotal means for pivotal mounting of the front and rear access doors on the front and rear panels, respectively, the door pivotal means providing lost motion; so that   the front and rear access doors will be pivoted downward into an open position adjacent the front and rear panels respectively, and depending from the access opening lower edge, and will be pivoted upward into an upright closed position in the access opening, with the plugs juxtaposed over the receptacles, and will be lowered until the plugs are received in the receptacles, thereby latching the access doors closed.   
   
   
       12 . The collapsible container of  claim 11 , wherein the door pivotal means further comprises:
 a first row of hinge knuckles arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the front and rear panels access opening lower edges, the first row of hinge knuckles having passages therethrough in linear alignment defining a first door axis;   a second row of hinge knuckles arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the front and rear access doors bottom edges, the second row of hinge knuckles having passages therethrough in linear alignment defining a second door axis;   a front link and a rear link, each link having a third row of hinge knuckles arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the link, the third row of hinge knuckles having passages therethrough in linear alignment defining a third door axis, each link having a fourth row of hinge knuckles arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the link, the fourth row of hinge knuckles having passages therethrough in linear alignment defining a fourth door axis, the third door axis and the fourth door axis being parallel and spaced apart, the third and fourth rows of hinge knuckles being adapted to fit between the first and second rows of hinge knuckles, respectively, with the first door axis collinear with the third door axis, and the second door axis collinear with the fourth door axis; and   two hinge rods for each link, the hinge rods being straight and of a uniform predetermined radius adapted for close sliding engagement with the first, second, third, and fourth hinge knuckle passages, each hinge rod having a locking member at one end, the locking member protruding beyond the predetermined radius, so as to wedge tightly in the hinge knuckle passages, thereby retaining the hinge rods in the hinge knuckles.   
   
   
       13 . The collapsible container of  claim 11 , wherein the base, front panel, rear panel, left panel, right panel, front access door, and rear access door are molded from a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic resins and thermoset resins. 
   
   
       14 . The collapsible container of  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of feet extending downward from the base to a bottom surface so as to raise the container off a floor, the feet having an outer edge with a shoulder adapted to receive the top edges of the front, rear, left, and right panels when the container is open, and to receive the base wall when the container is folded, so as to enable containers to be stacked one upon another in both the open and closed positions. 
   
   
       15 . The collapsible container of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a plurality of skid bars attached to the bottom surface of the feet, the skid bars having a cross-sectional shape; and   each of the feet having a shape in its bottom surface matching the cross-sectional shape so as to receive the skid bars.   
   
   
       16 . The collapsible container of  claim 14 , further comprising a bumper plate mounted on the outer edge of each of four of the feet at the corners of the base, the bumper plate being generally L-shaped and extending between opposite upper and lower edges, the bumper plate having an inner surface for mounting against the feet, and an opposite outer surface, the bumper plate having a flange extending outward and downward from the lower edge, the flange being adapted to overlap an adjacent lower stacked container, so as to prevent lateral shifting of a stacked container. 
   
   
       17 . A collapsible container comprising:
 a base extending between opposite front and rear ends, and between opposite left and right sides, the base having a floor extending between the front and rear ends and the left and right sides, the base having a wall extending along the front and rear ends and the left and right sides, the wall projecting upward above the floor, the base having four corners where the ends meet the sides;   a front panel extending between opposite first and second edges and between opposite top and bottom edges, the front panel having inner and outer surfaces, the front panel bottom edge being pivotally mounted on the base front end, the pivotal mounting providing lost motion and allowing the front panel to be pivoted downward into a folded position adjacent the base floor, and pivoted upward into an open upright position, the front panel first and second edges each having a plurality of fingers arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the edges;   a rear panel extending between opposite first and second edges and between opposite top and bottom edges, the rear panel having inner and outer surfaces, the rear panel bottom edge being pivotally mounted on the base rear end, the pivotal mounting providing lost motion and allowing the rear panel to be pivoted downward into a folded position adjacent the base floor, and pivoted upward into an open upright position, the rear panel first and second edges each having a plurality of fingers arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the edges;   at least one slide hinge extending downward from the bottom edge of each of the front and rear panels, each slide hinge having a plurality of hooks extending downward and facing alternately inward and outward, the hooks defining a transverse passage having a pivot axis about which the slide hinge pivots;   at least one slide socket in each of the base front and rear ends, each slide socket being adapted to receive one of each slide hinge, each slide socket having a pair of opposed, generally vertical slots for providing the lost motion;   a resilient latch extending downward in a cantilever from the bottom edge of each of the front and rear panels coextensively with the slide hinge, and disposed between the hooks;   a hinge pin adapted to slidingly engage each slide hinge along the pivot axis, the hinge pin having a narrowed waist portion adapted to engage the latch so as to retain the hinge pin in the slide hinge, the hinge pin being adapted to engage the slots so as to allow   the slide hinge to slide upward in the slide socket as well as pivot; so that the slide hinge will be inserted downward into the slide socket, the pivot axis will be aligned with the slots, the hinge pin will be inserted axially through one of the slots and pass through the hooks, the hinge pin will deflect the latch resiliently away from the pivot axis, the waist portion will align with the latch, allowing the latch to flex with bias toward the pivot axis into the waist portion so as to retain the hinge pin in the slide hinge, and the hinge pin will pass through the opposing slot, allowing the slide hinge to rotate and translate with respect to the slide socket;   a left panel extending between opposite first and second edges and between opposite top and bottom edges, the left panel having inner and outer surfaces, the left panel bottom edge being pivotally mounted on the base left side, allowing the left panel to be pivoted downward into a folded position adjacent the base floor, and pivoted upward into an open upright position, the left panel first and second edges each having a plurality of pockets arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the edges, the left panel first and second edge pockets being adapted to receive the rear panel second edge fingers and the front panel first edge fingers, respectively;   a right panel extending between opposite first and second edges and between opposite top and bottom edges, the right panel having inner and outer surfaces, the right panel bottom edge being pivotally mounted on the base right side, allowing the right panel to be pivoted downward into a folded position adjacent the base floor, and pivoted upward into an open upright position, the right panel first and second edges each having a plurality of pockets arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the edges, the right panel first and second edge pockets being adapted to receive the front panel second edge fingers and the rear panel first edge fingers, respectively;   at least one snap hinge extending downward from the bottom edge of each of the left and right panels;   at least one snap socket in each of the base left and right sides, each snap socket being adapted to receive one of each snap hinge, each snap socket having a predetermined width;   two trunnions projecting outward from each snap hinge, the trunnions being eccentric, so as to decrease the backlash between the snap hinge and the snap socket with the panels in the open position for precise positioning of the panels, and to increase the backlash in the closed position for easy folding of the panels;   two resilient cantilever members disposed in each snap socket, so that the cantilever members will engage the trunnions as the snap hinge is inserted downward into the snap socket, the trunnions will deflect the cantilever members resiliently away from the snap hinge until the trunnions pass the cantilever members, allowing the cantilever members to flex inward toward one another so as to capture the trunnions and retain the snap hinge in the snap socket and to hold the snap hinge generally centered in the snap socket; so that   to open the container, the left and right panels will be pivoted from a folded position lying generally flat adjacent the base, to an upright position, the front and rear panels will be pivoted from a folded position lying generally flat adjacent the base, to an upright position, and at the same time will be raised upward so that the fingers of the front and rear panels will be juxtaposed over corresponding pockets of the left and right panels, the front and rear panels will be lowered so that the fingers will be received in the pockets, thereby latching the panels at the edges thereof in the open position;   a plurality of feet extending downward from the base to a bottom surface so as to raise the container off a floor, the feet having an outer edge with a shoulder adapted to receive the top edges of the front, rear, left, and right panels when the container is open, and to receive the base wall when the container is folded, so as to enable containers to be stacked one upon another in both the open and closed positions; and   a plurality of skid bars attached to the bottom surface of the feet, the skid bars having a cross-sectional shape, each of the feet having a shape in its bottom surface matching the cross-sectional shape so as to receive the skid bars.   
   
   
       18 . The collapsible container of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 front and rear access doors extending between opposite outer edges and between opposite top and bottom edges, the front and rear access doors each having inner and outer surfaces, the outer edges each having a plurality of plugs arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the outer edges;   the front and rear panels each having an access opening extending between opposite outer edges and between a lower edge and the panel top edge, each access opening having a plurality of receptacles arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the outer edges, the receptacles being adapted to receive the plugs; and   door pivotal means for pivotal mounting of the front and rear access doors on the front and rear panels, respectively, the door pivotal means providing lost motion; so that   the front and rear access doors will be pivoted downward into an open position adjacent the front and rear panels respectively, and depending from the access opening lower edge, and will be pivoted upward into an upright closed position in the access opening, with the plugs juxtaposed over the receptacles, and will be lowered until the plugs are received in the receptacles, thereby latching the access doors closed.   
   
   
       19 . The collapsible container of  claim 18 , wherein the door pivotal means further comprises:
 a first row of hinge knuckles arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the front and rear panels access opening lower edges, the first row of hinge knuckles having passages therethrough in linear alignment defining a first door axis;   a second row of hinge knuckles arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the front and rear access doors bottom edges, the second row of hinge knuckles having passages therethrough in linear alignment defining a second door axis;   a front link and a rear link, each link having a third row of hinge knuckles arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the link, the third row of hinge knuckles having passages therethrough in linear alignment defining a third door axis, each link having a fourth row of hinge knuckles arrayed in a linear spaced relationship along the link, the fourth row of hinge knuckles having passages therethrough in linear alignment defining a fourth door axis, the third door axis and the fourth door axis being parallel and spaced apart, the third and fourth rows of hinge knuckles being adapted to fit between the first and second rows of hinge knuckles, respectively, with the first door axis collinear with the third door axis, and the second door axis collinear with the fourth door axis; and   two hinge rods for each link, the hinge rods being straight and of a uniform predetermined radius adapted for close sliding engagement with the first, second, third, and fourth hinge knuckle passages, each hinge rod having a locking member at one end, the locking member protruding beyond the predetermined radius, so as to wedge tightly in the hinge knuckle passages, thereby retaining the hinge rods in the hinge knuckles.   
   
   
       20 . The collapsible container of  claim 18 , wherein the base, front panel, rear panel, left panel, right panel, front access door, and rear access door are molded from a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic resins and thermoset resins. 
   
   
       21 . The collapsible container of  claim 17 , further comprising a bumper plate mounted on the outer edge of each of four of the feet at the corners of the base, the bumper plate being generally L-shaped and extending between opposite upper and lower edges, the bumper plate having an inner surface for mounting against the feet, and an opposite outer surface, the bumper plate having a flange extending outward and downward from the lower edge, the flange being adapted to overlap an adjacent lower stacked container, so as to prevent lateral shifting of a stacked container.