Collapsible storage container

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present invention include an improved collapsible storage container that may be modular and stackable. For example, the container can include side panels and a bottom panel that interlock with each other using tension between the panels of the container. In addition, a user may assemble and disassemble the container without tools and store the panels in a compact manner.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A storage container comprising:
 a first panel and a second panel, the first panel being parallel to the second panel, wherein the first panel and the second panel each comprise:
 four edges, a top surface, and a bottom surface, comprising:
 a cavity near a first edge of the four edges and a plurality of windows near the remaining three edges of the four edges, the plurality of windows comprising tab windows and rib windows; 
 
   a third panel and a fourth panel, the third panel being parallel to the fourth panel and both the third panel and the fourth panel being perpendicular to the first panel and the second panel, wherein the third panel and the fourth panel each comprise:
 four edges, a top surface and a bottom surface, comprising:
 a plurality of tabs on the second edge and the fourth edge that align with the plurality of tab windows near the second edge and the fourth edge of the first panel and the second panel; 
 a plurality of ribs on the second edge and the fourth edge that fasten to corresponding rib windows on the second edge and the fourth edge of the first panel and the second panel, wherein the ribs are offset from the corresponding rib windows on the second edge and the fourth edge of the first panel and the second panel, the offset creating tension between the plurality of ribs on the third panel and the fourth panel and the corresponding rib windows on the second edge and the fourth edge of the first panel and the second panel; and 
 a groove along the third edge; and 
 
   a bottom panel, the bottom panel being perpendicular to the first panel, the second panel, the third panel, and the fourth panel, wherein the bottom panel comprises:
 four edges, a top surface and a bottom surface, comprising:
 a first tab on the first edge, the first tab coupling with the groove along the third edge of the third panel; 
 a second tab on the third edge, the second tab coupling with the groove along the third edge of the fourth panel; 
 a plurality of tabs on the second edge and the fourth edge that align with the plurality of tab windows near the third edge of the first panel and the third edge of the second panel; and 
 a plurality of ribs on the second edge and the fourth edge that fasten to the plurality of rib windows near the third edge of the first panel and the third edge of the second panel, wherein the ribs are offset from the corresponding rib windows, the offset creating tension between the plurality of ribs on the bottom panel and the corresponding rib windows of the first panel and the second panel. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of windows on the first panel and the second panel are rectangular in shape, each window having side walls adjoining at corners, wherein each corner is rounded out and extends beyond the side walls such that a tab or rib being placed in a window of the plurality of windows contacts the side walls of the window without contacting the corners on the window. 
     
     
         3 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein one or more windows of the plurality of windows are shaped like a dog bone. 
     
     
         4 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the first panel and the second panel further comprise interlocking tabs on sides of the four edges. 
     
     
         5 . The storage container of  claim 4 , wherein the interlocking tabs comprise alternating tabs that alternate along the sides of the fourth edges of the first panel and the second panel. 
     
     
         6 . The storage container of  claim 5 , wherein each interlocking tab of the interlocking tabs comprises an odd number of tabs per side edge of the four edges. 
     
     
         7 . The storage container of  claim 5 , wherein the storage container securely interlocks with a second storage container that is functionally identical to the storage container. 
     
     
         8 . The storage container of  claim 4 , wherein the interlocking tabs along the remaining three edges of the first panel and the second panel are aligned with the plurality of windows near the remaining three edges of the first panel and the second panel. 
     
     
         9 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ribs on the second edge and the fourth edge of the bottom panel flex away from each other to allow the plurality of ribs to pass through the offset rib windows near the third edge the first panel and the second panel. 
     
     
         10 . The storage container of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of ribs on the second edge and the fourth edge of the bottom panel, upon passing through the rib windows near the third edge the first panel and the second panel, unflex towards each other to fasted the bottom panel to the first panel and the second panel. 
     
     
         11 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein each rib of the plurality of ribs on the second edge and the fourth edge of the bottom panel comprise a latch at an end of each rib, and wherein the latch indentation is rounded on one side and indented on an opposite side. 
     
     
         12 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the latch indentation at the second edge and the fourth edge of the bottom panel is used to fasten the bottom panel to the first panel and the second panel. 
     
     
         13 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein each rib of the plurality of ribs on the second edge and the fourth edge of the bottom panel comprise a notch near the latch along a neck of the each rib. 
     
     
         14 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the storage container is high strength laminate wood. 
     
     
         15 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein each panel of the storage container is square. 
     
     
         16 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the storage container can be assembled and disassembled within tools. 
     
     
         17 . The storage container of  claim 14 , wherein each panel of the storage container can stack compactly when the storage container is disassembled. 
     
     
         18 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity near the first edge of the first panel and the second panel is a handle for the storage container. 
     
     
         19 . A panel of a collapsible storage container, comprising:
 a front surface having a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge;
 wherein the first edge is parallel with the second edge, the third edge is parallel with the fourth edge, and the first edge is perpendicularly connected to the third edge and the fourth edge; 
 wherein the first edge and the second edge each comprise at least one fixed tab; 
 wherein the first edge and the second edge each comprise a plurality of flexible ribs, each flexible rib of the plurality of flexible ribs comprising an end having a latch; 
 wherein each flexible rib of the plurality of ribs extends from within the front surface to the end having the latch, the latch being in line with the at least one fixed tab along the first edge and the second edge; 
 wherein the latch end of each flexible rib of the plurality of flexible ribs can move perpendicularly along the first edge and the second edge; and 
 wherein the front surface comprises a grove adjacent to and parallel with the third edge, the groove extending the length of the front surface; and 
   a back surface, which shares the first edge, the second edge, the third edge, and the fourth edge with the front surface, including the at least one fixed tab and the plurality of flexible ribs.   
     
     
         20 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flexible ribs on each of the first edge and the second edge comprise two flexible ribs, and wherein the two flexible ribs flex away from one another.