Flexible extended-length bulk bin

Abstract

The invention is directed to a flexible and collapsible extended-length bulk bin. The bulk bin includes two molded plastic end pieces that are connected at each side to each by metal rails. A bottom panel and two side wall panels are also positioned between the two molded plastic end pieces.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A flexible extended-length bulk bin comprising:
 a first plastic molded end piece;   a second plastic molded end piece;   a first rail extending from a first side of the first plastic molded end piece to the first side of the second plastic molded end piece;   a second rail extend from a second side of the first plastic molded end piece to the second side of the second plastic molded end piece; and   a first bottom panel extending between the first rail and the second rail.   
     
     
         2 . The flexible extended-length bulk bin of  claim 1  wherein the first rail and the second rail are metal. 
     
     
         3 . The flexible extended-length bulk bin of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a first cross brace extending between the first rail and the second rail; and, 
 a second cross brace extending between the first rail and the second rail spaced from the first cross brace. 
 
     
     
         4 . The flexible extended-length bulk bin of  claim 3  further comprising:
 a second bottom panel extending between the first rail and the second rail; and, 
 a third bottom panel extending between the first rail and the second rail. 
 
     
     
         5 . The flexible extended-length bulk bin of  claim 1  wherein the first bottom panel is plastic. 
     
     
         6 . The flexible extended-length bulk bin of  claim 1  wherein the first bottom panel is a wire mesh. 
     
     
         7 . The flexible extended-length bulk bin of  claim 1  wherein the first plastic molded end piece includes an access door. 
     
     
         8 . The flexible extended-length bulk bin of  claim 7  wherein the second plastic molded piece includes an access door. 
     
     
         9 . The flexible extended-length bulk bin of  claim 1  further comprising a first side panel extending upward from the first rail between the first plastic molded end piece and the second molded end piece. 
     
     
         10 . The flexible extended-length bulk bin of  claim 9  further comprising a second side panel extending upward from the second rail between the first plastic molded end piece and the second molded end piece. 
     
     
         11 . The flexible extended-length bulk bin of  claim 10  wherein the first side panel includes a solid plastic sheet. 
     
     
         12 . The flexible extended-length bulk bin of  claim 1  wherein the first side panel includes a wire mesh. 
     
     
         13 . The flexible extended-length bulk bin of  claim 1  wherein the first plastic molded piece includes a plurality of downwardly extending feet. 
     
     
         14 . The flexible extended-length bulk bin of  claim 13  wherein the first plastic molded piece includes a runner extending between the feet. 
     
     
         15 . The flexible extended-length bulk bin of  claim 1  wherein the first plastic molded piece includes a metal sheet extending between the feet. 
     
     
         16 . The flexible extended-length bulk bin of  claim 10  wherein the first plastic molded piece includes a first side wall segment on the first side and a second side wall segment on the second side, and the second plastic molded piece includes a first side wall segment on the first side and a second side wall segment on the second side. 
     
     
         17 . The flexible extended-length bulk bin of  claim 16  wherein the first side wall segment of the first plastic molded end piece is hingedly attached to the first plastic molded end piece and the second side wall segment of the first plastic molded end piece is hingedly attached to the first plastic molded piece, and the first side wall segment of the second plastic molded end piece is hingedly attached to the second plastic molded end piece and the second side wall segment of the second plastic molded end piece is hingedly attached to the second plastic molded end piece. 
     
     
         18 . The flexible extended-length bulk bin of  claim 1  wherein the first plastic molded end piece is identical to the second molded plastic end piece. 
     
     
         19 . A flexible extended-length bulk bin comprising:
 a first plastic bulk bin end piece having a bottom segment, an end wall extending upward from the bottom segment, a first side wall segment hingedly connected to and extending upward from a first side of the bottom segment, a second side wall segment hingedly connected to and extending upward from a second side of the bottom segment;   a second plastic bulk bin end piece having a bottom segment, an end wall extending upward from the bottom segment, a first side wall segment hingedly connected to and extending upward from a first side of the bottom segment, a second side wall segment hingedly connected to and extending upward from a second side of the bottom segment;   a first metal rail extending from the first side of the bottom segment of the first plastic bulk bin end piece to the first side of the bottom segment of the second bulk bin end piece;   a second metal rail extending from the second side of the bottom segment of the first plastic bulk bin end piece to the second side of the bottom segment of the second bulk bin end piece;   a first bottom panel extending between the first metal rail and the second metal rail;   a first side wall panel extending between the first side wall segment of the first plastic bulk bin end piece and the first side wall segment of the second plastic bulk bin end piece; and,   a second side wall panel extending between the second side wall segment of the first plastic bulk bin end piece and the second side wall segment of the second plastic bulk bin end piece.   
     
     
         20 . The flexible extended-length bulk bin of  claim 19  wherein the end wall of the first plastic bulk bin end piece includes a hinged access door.