Bulk Bin with Interlocking Elements for Stacking

Abstract

A bulk bin container having a plurality of first interlocking elements along a bottom portion of the container, and a corresponding plurality of second interlocking elements along a top portion of the container. The interlocking elements help distribute impact forces to a stack of such containers.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A collapsible bulk bin container comprising:
 a base having a bottom portion, the base having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side;   a first sidewall hingedly connected to the first side of the base;   a second sidewall hingedly connected to the second side of the base;   a third sidewall hingedly connected to the third side of the base;   a fourth sidewall hingedly connected to the fourth side of the base;   a plurality of first interlocking elements on an edge of each side of the bottom portion of the base and a corresponding plurality of second interlocking elements on a top portion of each of the sidewalls.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible bulk bin container of  claim 1  wherein the first interlocking elements are protrusions extending downward from the bottom portion of the base. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible bulk bin of  claim 2  wherein the second interlocking elements are notches configured to receive the protrusions. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible bulk bin of  claim 1  wherein the bottom portion of the base includes a recess along the edge of each side of the base. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible bulk bin of  claim 4  wherein the first elements are positioned in the recess. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible bulk bin of  claim 2  wherein the protrusions are integrally formed in the bottom portion of the base. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible bulk bin of  claim 1  wherein the bottom portion includes a plurality of feet. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible bulk bin of  claim 7  wherein the bottom portion includes a plurality of stringers connecting the feet. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible bulk bin of  claim 1  wherein each side of the bottom portion includes at least three first interlocking elements. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible bulk bin of  claim 1  wherein each notch includes a wider portion proximate an opening of the notch. 
     
     
         11 . The collapsible bulk bin of  claim 1  wherein the first interlocking element is a holder for a projection and the second interlocking element is a projection. 
     
     
         12 . A plastic bulk bin container which can be interlocked to another like container comprising:
 a rectangular base portion having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side, a bottom portion having a recess along an outer edge of each side, and a plurality of first interlocking elements positioned along each side in the recess;   a first sidewall extending from the first side of the base portion;   a second sidewall extending from the second side of the base portion;   a third sidewall extending from the third side of the base portion;   a fourth side wall extending from the fourth side of the base portion; and,   a plurality of second interlocking elements on an upper portion of each sidewall.   
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12  wherein the recess is continuous along each side of the base portion. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 12  wherein the recess is formed in segments along each side of the base portion. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 12  wherein each of the plurality of first interlocking elements is a projection extending downward from an upper surface of the recess. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 16  wherein each of the plurality of second interlocking elements is a notch in the upper portion of the sidewalls. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 12  wherein each of the sidewalls is hingedly connected to the base portion. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 12  wherein the bottom portion is formed from a plurality of feet connected by stringers. 
     
     
         19 . A collapsible bulk bin container comprising:
 a rectangular base portion comprising a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side, a first corner foot extending downward from a corner connecting the first side and the second side, a second corner foot extending downward from a corner connecting the second side and the third side, a third corner foot extending downward connecting the third side to the fourth side, a fourth corner foot extending downward from a corner connecting the fourth side and the first side, a first central foot extending downward from a center portion of the first side, a second central foot extending downward from a central portion of the second side, a third central foot extending downward from a central portion of the third side, and a fourth central foot extending downward from a central portion of the fourth side, each of the corner feet and central feet including a first interlocking element;   a first sidewall connected to the first side of the base portion;   a second sidewall connected to the second side of the base portion;   a third sidewall connected to a third side of the base portion;   a fourth sidewall connected to the fourth side of the base portion;   each of the sidewalls including second interlocking elements.   
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 19  wherein each first interlocking element is a projection extending downward from each foot, and each second interlocking element is a notch in a top portion of each side wall.