Waterproof storage bin

Abstract

A storage bin is constructed from a single-sheet blank of corrugated plastic or any malleable material and includes a rectangular bottom panel, a pair of opposing side panels connected to the bottom panel through corresponding fold lines, and a pair of opposing end panels connected to the bottom panel through corresponding fold lines. A side extension flap is formed on each end of each side panel and is connected to its adjacent end panel by a solid, foldable, circular sector gusset. Gussets enable the lower portion of storage bin to be configured into its assembled state without the use of cut lines or openings, thereby rendering the bottom region of the storage bin waterproof. A plurality of buckle-type locking mechanisms are formed in the blank and are configured to be articulated through fitted openings in select panels to releasably retain the storage bin in its assembled state.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A storage bin for retaining a product, the storage bin comprising:
 (a) a bottom panel having a pair of opposing side edges and a pair of opposing end edges;   (b) a pair of opposing side panels, each of the pair of opposing side panels being connected to a corresponding side edge of the bottom panel through an associated fold line, each of the pair of opposing side panels having opposing ends;   (c) a pair of opposing end panels, each of the pair of opposing end panels being connected to a corresponding end edge of the bottom panel through an associated fold line;   (d) a plurality of side extension flaps, each side extension flap being connected to a corresponding end of each of the plurality of opposing side panels through a corresponding fold line; and   (e) a plurality of gussets, each gusset extending between a corresponding side extension flap and an adjacent end panel.   
     
     
         2 . The storage bin as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the storage bin is constructed from a one-piece flattened blank. 
     
     
         3 . The storage bin as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the storage bin is configured to be manipulated between an assembled state and a flattened state. 
     
     
         4 . The storage bin as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the one-piece flattened blank is manufactured out of a waterproof material. 
     
     
         5 . The storage bin as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the one-piece flattened blank is manufactured of a corrugated plastic material. 
     
     
         6 . The storage bin as claimed in  claim 3  wherein each gusset is connected to a side extension flap and an adjacent end panel through corresponding fold lines. 
     
     
         7 . The storage bin as claimed in  claim 6  wherein each gusset is in the form of solid flap which is generally circular sector in shape. 
     
     
         8 . The storage bin as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the storage bin has a height, each gusset extending from the bottom panel a portion of the height of the storage bin when the storage bin is in its assembled state. 
     
     
         9 . The storage bin as claimed in  claim 8  wherein each gusset includes a central radial fold line. 
     
     
         10 . The storage bin as claimed in  claim 9  wherein each gusset is maintained in a folded condition between its associated side extension flap and end panel when storage bin is in its assembled state. 
     
     
         11 . The storage bin as claimed in  claim 7  wherein a buckle-type locking mechanism is formed in each side extension flap and extends partially into its corresponding side panel. 
     
     
         12 . The storage bin as claimed in  claim 11  wherein each buckle-type locking mechanism comprises a generally trapezoidal tongue. 
     
     
         13 . The storage bin as claimed in  claim 12  wherein each tongue connects to its corresponding side extension flap through a vertical fold line from which extends a pair of converging score lines that terminate into a vertical slit. 
     
     
         14 . The storage bin as claimed in  claim 13  wherein each end panel includes a pair of vertical slots and an enlarged central opening. 
     
     
         15 . The storage bin as claimed in  claim 14  wherein each tongue is dimensioned to fittingly protrude through a corresponding vertical slot in an associated end panel and penetrate back through its associated slit to retain the storage bin in its assembled state.