Reusable bin

Abstract

A collapsible bulk bin has floating hinges with no moving parts that allow the walls of the bin to lay flat on top of each other. The collapsible bulk bin can include removable support feet that may be easily replaced thereby extending the usable life of the collapsible bulk bin.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A collapsible bulk bin comprising:
 a base having a plurality of horizontal retention tabs and vertical retention tabs arranged to form hinge channels;   a plurality of first side walls having at least one hinge pin body and at least one wall retention tab;   the plurality of first side walls rotatably attached to the base by inserting the at least one hinge pin body into the hinge channels allowing the first side walls to rotate between a vertical and collapsed position;   a plurality of second side walls having at least one hinge pin body and at least one resilient latch;   the plurality of second side walls rotatably attached to the base by inserting the at least one hinge pin body into the hinge channels allowing the second side walls to rotate between a vertical and collapsed position;   the plurality of first side walls and second side walls being adjacent to each other when in the vertical position and removably attached to each other by engaging the at least one resilient latch with the at least one wall retention tab; and   the first and second side walls laying parallel to each other and to the base when in the collapsed position.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible bulk bin  claim 1  wherein the hinge pin bodies float vertically within the hinge channels. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible bulk bin of  claim 1  wherein the hinge pin bodies are integrally formed into the first and second side walls. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible bulk bin of  claim 1  wherein the first side wall further includes vertical side tabs on at least one side of the first side wall. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible bulk bin of  claim 4  wherein the second side wall further includes vertical side cavities that engage the vertical side tabs when the first and second side walls are in the vertical position. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible bulk bin of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of support feet are removably attached to the base. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible bulk bin of  claim 6  wherein the plurality of support feet include a male treaded portion engaged with a female threaded portion included in the base. 
     
     
         8 . A collapsible bulk bin comprising:
 a base having a plurality of female threaded portions, retention tabs, and vertical retention tabs arranged to form hinge channels;   a plurality of first side walls having at least one hinge pin body and at least one retention tab;   the plurality of first side walls rotatably attached to the base by inserting the at least one hinge pin body into the hinge channels allowing the first side walls to rotate between a vertical and collapsed position;   a plurality of second side walls having at least one hinge pin body and at least one resilient latch;   the plurality of second side walls rotatably attached to the base by inserting the at least one hinge pin body into the hinge channels allowing the second side walls to rotate between a vertical and collapsed position;   the plurality of first side walls and second side walls being adjacent to each other when in the vertical position and removably attached to each other by engaging the at least one resilient latch with the at least one retention tab;   the first and second side walls laying parallel to each other and to the base when in the collapsed position; and   a plurality of support feet having a male threaded portion and removably inserted into the plurality of female threaded portions.   
     
     
         9 . The collapsible bulk bin of  claim 6  wherein an o-ring is included between the plurality of support feet and the plurality of female threaded portions. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible bulk bin of  claim 6  wherein the plurality of support feet further include chamfer proximate the bottom of the support feet to indicate the level of wear on the support feet. 
     
     
         11 . The collapsible bulk bin of  claim 6  wherein a gasket is included between the plurality of support feet and the plurality of female threaded portions. 
     
     
         12 . The collapsible bulk bin of  claim 6  wherein the plurality of support feet include a hollow portion. 
     
     
         13 . A bulk bin comprising:
 a base having a plurality of first threaded portions;   a plurality of side walls attached to the base; and   a plurality of support feet having a second threaded portion and removably engaged with the plurality of first threaded portions.   
     
     
         14 . The bulk bin of  claim 13  wherein the plurality of support feet further include chamfer proximate the bottom of the support feet to indicate the level of wear on the support feet. 
     
     
         15 . The bulk bin of  claim 13  wherein an o-ring is included between the plurality of support feet and the plurality of female threaded portions. 
     
     
         16 . The bulk bin of  claim 13  wherein a gasket is included between the plurality of support feet and the plurality of female threaded portions. 
     
     
         17 . The bulk bin of  claim 13  wherein the plurality of support feet include a hollow portion.