Collapsible Containers

Abstract

Collapsible containers dimensioned to integrate into less-than-load operations are provided. The container may include a base, a pair of first and second opposing walls, each first and second opposing wall including a top edge, two side edges and a bottom edge. The container further includes a top panel removably attached to the top edge of the pairs of first and second opposing walls and a plurality of engaging devices positioned along the perimeter of the base and along the two side edges and bottom edge of the pairs of first and second opposing walls. The plurality of engaging devices are configured to removably connect the pair of first opposing walls to the pair of second opposing walls and to removably connect the pairs of first and second opposing walls to the base.

1 . A collapsible container comprising:
 a base;   a pair of first opposing walls, each first opposing wall comprising a top edge, two side edges and a bottom edge;   a pair of second opposing walls, each second opposing wall comprising a top edge, two side edges and a bottom edge;   a top panel removably attached to the top edge of the pairs of first and second opposing walls; and   a plurality of engaging devices positioned along the perimeter of the base and along the two side edges and bottom edge of the pairs of first and second opposing walls;   wherein:
 the plurality of engaging devices are configured to removably connect the pair of first opposing walls to the pair of second opposing walls and to removably connect the pairs of first and second opposing walls to the base; and 
 the collapsible container is dimensioned to integrate into less than truck load operations. 
   
   
   
       2 . A collapsible container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of engaging devices comprise a plurality of male fastening components and a plurality of female fastening components, the plurality of female fastening components configured to accept the plurality of male fastening components. 
   
   
       3 . A collapsible container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of engaging devices comprise a plurality of engaging tabs and a plurality of slots configured to accept the engaging tabs. 
   
   
       4 . A collapsible container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of engaging devices comprise:
 a plurality of engaging hooks positioned outwardly along the two side edges of the pair of first opposing walls;   a plurality of engaging tabs positioned outwardly along the bottom edge of the pairs of first and second opposing walls; and   a plurality of slots positioned along the two side edges of the pair of second opposing walls and the perimeter of the base, the slots configured to accept the engaging hooks and the engaging tabs.   
   
   
       5 . A collapsible container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the base further comprises a plurality of support blocks spaced along the underside of the base such that a forklift may be used to lift the collapsible container. 
   
   
       6 . A collapsible container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the pairs of first and second opposing walls comprise an exterior face having a graphic. 
   
   
       7 . A collapsible container as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the graphic depicts an outdoor scene, a playhouse, a building or a shed. 
   
   
       8 . A collapsible container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the collapsible container is dimensioned to fit in curtain side linehaul trailers and trailers with overhead roll-up doors. 
   
   
       9 . A collapsible container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the base, the pairs of first and second opposing walls and the top panel are made of a plastic material. 
   
   
       10 . A collapsible container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the collapsible container further comprises a tarp. 
   
   
       11 . A collapsible container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the collapsible container further comprises at least one freight securing mechanism configured to secure items within the collapsible container to the base. 
   
   
       12 . A collapsible container as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the freight securing mechanism comprises a tie down positioned on an interior face of the base. 
   
   
       13 . A collapsible container as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the freight securing mechanism comprises a latch positioned on an interior face of the base. 
   
   
       14 . A collapsible container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the base, the pairs of first and second opposing walls, and the top panel are configured to be disassembled and stacked to minimize storage space of the collapsible container. 
   
   
       15 . A collapsible container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the top panel further comprises at least one vertical lip along the perimeter of an interior face of the top panel such that the vertical lip secures the top panel to the pairs of first and second opposing walls. 
   
   
       16 . A collapsible container as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the top panel further comprises a first section, a second section and a third section. 
   
   
       17 . A collapsible container comprising:
 a pair of first opposing walls, each first opposing wall comprising:
 a top edge; 
 a bottom edge comprising a plurality of bottom male fastening components; and 
 two side edges comprising a plurality of side male fastening components; 
   a pair of second opposing walls, each second opposing wall comprising:
 a top edge; 
 a bottom edge comprising a plurality of bottom male fastening components; and 
 two side edges comprising a plurality of side female fastening components configured to accept the plurality of side male fastening components; 
   a base comprising a plurality of base female fastening components along a perimeter of the base, the plurality of base female fastening components configured to accept the plurality of bottom male fastening components of the pairs of first and second opposing walls; and   a top panel configured to removably attach to the top edge of the pairs of first and second opposing walls;   wherein when the collapsible container is in an erected position, the collapsible container is a receptacle dimensioned to integrate into less than truck load operations.   
   
   
       18 . A collapsible container as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the base, the pairs of first and second opposing walls, and the top panel are configured to be stacked when the collapsible container is in a collapsed position. 
   
   
       19 . A collapsible container comprising:
 a pair of first opposing walls, each first opposing wall comprising:
 a plurality of engaging hooks positioned outwardly along two opposing edges; 
 a plurality of first engaging tabs positioned outwardly along an edge adjacent to the two opposing edges; 
 a substantially flat edge; and 
 an exterior face comprising a graphic; 
   a pair of second opposing walls, each second opposing wall comprising:
 a plurality of slots positioned along two opposing edges configured to accept the plurality of engaging hooks of the pair of first opposing walls; 
 a plurality of second engaging tabs positioned outwardly along an edge adjacent to the two opposing edges; 
 a substantially flat edge; and 
 an exterior face comprising a graphic; 
   a base comprising a plurality of base slots that are sized and positioned to accept the first and second engaging tabs of the respective pairs of first and second opposing walls to form a receptacle; and   a top panel configured to removably attach to the substantially flat edge of the pairs of first and second opposing walls;   wherein the collapsible container is dimensioned to integrate into less than truck load operations.   
   
   
       20 . A collapsible container as claimed in  claim 19  wherein in the length of the first engaging tabs is different than the length of the second engaging tabs. 
   
   
       21 . A collapsible container as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the collapsible container further comprises a plurality of freight securing mechanisms. 
   
   
       22 . A collapsible container as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the plurality of freight securing mechanisms comprise tie downs positioned on an interior face of the base, the pairs of first and second opposing walls and the top panel. 
   
   
       23 . A collapsible container as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the plurality of freight securing mechanisms comprise latches positioned on an interior face of the base, the first and second pair of opposing walls and the top panel.