Collapsible container

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a collapsible container which is movable from a collapsed position having a reduced volume for storage and transport and an expanded position having dimensional rigidity and securely holding the contents of the container. The collapsible container has a plurality of outer wall segments having a side wall with a first and second edge, the outer wall segments being movable from a collapsed position wherein the plurality of outer wall segments are stacked within each other such that the height of the collapsed container is similar to the height of the individual outer wall segments and an expanded position for use of the collapsible container. The outer wall segments are provided with releasable locking means whereby the outer wall segments may be locked one to another in the expanded position and being releasable to allow for the collapsible container to be moved to the collapsed position. The releasable locking means are a releasable locking latch means adjacent a first edge of each of the outer wall segments and a locking latch means receptacle adjacent a second edge of the outer wall segments, the releasable locking latch means of an outer wall segment cooperating with the releasable locking latch means receptacle of an adjacent outer wall segment to releasably lock the collapsible container in the expanded position, the releasable locking latch means of an outer wall segment being disengageable from the releasable locking latch means receptacle of the adjacent outer wall segment to allow the collapsible container to be moved to the collapsed position.

1 . A collapsible container which is movable from a collapsed position having a reduced volume for storage and transport and an expanded position having dimensional rigidity and securely holding the contents of the container, the collapsible container comprising a plurality of outer wall segments having a side wall with a first and second edge, the outer wall segments being movable from a collapsed position wherein the plurality of outer wall segments are stacked within each other such that the height of the collapsed container is similar to the height of the individual outer wall segments and an expanded position for use of the collapsible container, the outer wall segments being provided with releasable locking means whereby the outer wall segments may be locked one to another in the expanded position and being releasable to allow for the collapsible container to be moved to the collapsed position, the releasable locking means comprising a releasable locking latch means adjacent a first edge of each of the outer wall segments and a locking latch means receptacle adjacent a second edge of the outer wall segments, the releasable locking latch means of an outer wall segment cooperating with the releasable locking latch means receptacle of an adjacent outer wall segment to releasably lock the collapsible container in the expanded position, the releasable locking latch means of an outer wall segment being disengageable from the releasable locking latch means receptacle of the adjacent outer wall segment to allow the collapsible container to be moved to the collapsed position. 
     
     
         2 . A collapsible container according to  claim 1  wherein the releasable locking latch means comprises a rib on a first surface of the outer wall segment and the releasable locking latch means receptacle comprises a groove to accept the rib and securely hold the rib in the groove. 
     
     
         3 . A collapsible container according to  claim 1  wherein the releasable locking latch means comprises a resilient tab formed in the side wall of the outer wall segment, the resilient tab having a lug extending from a first surface of the outer wall segment and the releasable locking latch means receptacle comprises an opening to accept the lug and securely hold the lug in the opening. 
     
     
         4 . A collapsible container according to  claim 1  wherein the collapsible container further comprises a fluid tight inner liner which is movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position along with the outer wall segments, the inner liner being attached to the outer wall segment at the top thereof. 
     
     
         5 . A collapsible container according to  claim 4  wherein the inner liner comprises a plurality of inner liner segments, the number of inner wall segments being equal to the number of outer wall segments, the uppermost inner wall segment being attached to the uppermost outer wall segment and the lowermost inner wall segment being provided with a bottom at the lower end thereof contiguous with the wall of the inner liner segment, each of the inner wall segments being joined to the adjacent inner wall segment by a living hinge to allow the inner wall segments to be moved between an expanded position to form a liquid tight liner for the collapsible container and a collapsed position wherein the inner liner segments pivot about the living hinges joining the adjacent inner wall segments such that in the collapsed position, the inner wall segments form a pleated arrangement. 
     
     
         6 . A collapsible container according to  claim 5  wherein the collapsible container comprises a removable cover which in a closed position seals the interior of the container and is releasable to allow access to the interior of the container.