Collapsible bin

Abstract

A reusable, washable, plastic, collapsible bin includes a plastic base. Four walls extend upwardly from the base and interlock with one another near the corners. Straps around the walls hold the walls together temporarily during use and keep the walls interlocked with one another. After use, the straps are removed and the walls can easily be removed from the base. The walls and base are then washed for subsequent reuse.

1 ) A bin comprising:
 a base;   a plurality of walls interlocking with the base, the plurality of walls interlocking with one another; and   at least one flexible circumferential retainer extending about the plurality of walls to hold the walls together.   
   
   
       2 ) The bin of  claim 1  wherein the base includes at least one horizontal flange and wherein at least one of the plurality of walls interlocks with the horizontal flange. 
   
   
       3 ) The bin of  claim 2  wherein the at least one wall interlocks with the base by moving the at least one wall toward an exterior of the bin. 
   
   
       4 ) The bin of  claim 3  wherein the at least one wall is retained in interlocking engagement with the base by an adjacent wall, which prevents the at least one wall from moving away from the exterior of the bin. 
   
   
       5 ) The bin of  claim 4  wherein the adjacent wall interlocks with the base by sliding vertically toward the base. 
   
   
       6 ) The bin of  claim 5  wherein the adjacent wall interlocks with the at least one wall by a sliding interlocking engagement. 
   
   
       7 ) The bin of  claim 6  wherein one of the at least one wall and the adjacent wall includes a protrusion received in a recess in the other of the at least one wall and the adjacent wall to provide the interlocking engagement between the at least one wall and the adjacent wall. 
   
   
       8 ) The bin of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the plurality of walls includes a flange protruding generally perpendicular thereto from one lateral end of the at least one wall. 
   
   
       9 ) The bin of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the plurality of walls includes a recessed channel for receiving the at least one flexible circumferential retainer. 
   
   
       10 ) The bin of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the plurality of walls includes at least one recess across which the retainer extends to facilitate cutting of the retainer. 
   
   
       11 ) The bin of  claim 10  wherein the at least one recess is chamfered. 
   
   
       12 ) The bin of  claim 1  wherein the flexible circumferential retainer is a strap. 
   
   
       13 ) The bin of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the plurality of walls includes at least one projection downward for interfering with the base to retain the at least one wall in an upright position before the others of the plurality of walls are assembled to the base. 
   
   
       14 ) The bin of  claim 1  wherein the base includes a plurality of vertical corrugations. 
   
   
       15 ) The bin of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the walls includes a plurality of first hollow ribs alternating with parallel first channels on a first side of the at least one wall and a plurality of second alternating hollow ribs alternating with parallel second channels along an opposite side of the at least one wall, wherein the first hollow ribs and first channels are transverse to the second hollow ribs and second channels. 
   
   
       16 ) The bin of  claim 15  wherein the first hollow ribs and first channels are horizontal and the second hollow ribs and second channels are vertical. 
   
   
       17 ) The bin of  claim 15  wherein each of the first channels includes a plurality of concave bosses molded into a bottom wall of each channel. 
   
   
       18 ) A bin comprising:
 a base having a plurality of supports extending downwardly and an interior compartment;   a plurality of walls removably interlocked with the base; and   wherein the plurality of walls can be placed inside the interior compartment.   
   
   
       19 ) The bin of  claim 18  wherein each of the plurality of walls interlocks with adjacent ones of the plurality of walls. 
   
   
       20 ) The bin of  claim 18  wherein the base and plurality of walls are each roto-molded. 
   
   
       21 ) A method of assembling a bin including the steps of:
 a) securing a first wall to a base by sliding the first wall toward an exterior of the base to interlock the first wall to the base;   b) securing a second wall to the base, opposite the first wall, by sliding the second wall toward an exterior of the base to interlock the second wall to the base; and   c) placing a third wall in an interlocking arrangement with the first wall, the second wall and the base.   
   
   
       22 ) The method of  claim 21  wherein said step c) is performed after said steps a) and b). 
   
   
       23 ) The method of  claim 21  further including the step of :
 d) wrapping a flexible retainer about the first wall, second wall and third wall to hold the walls in an interlocking arrangement.   
   
   
       24 ) The method of  claim 23  further including the step of :
 placing a third wall in an interlocking arrangement with the first wall, the second wall and the base, after said steps a) and b) and before said step d).