Collapsible crate with retractable wall

Abstract

The collapsible container includes a base and a pair of opposed first walls pivotably connected to opposed first edges of the base. A second wall or front wall is pivotably connected to a second edge of the base such that the second wall is perpendicular to the first walls. The front wall includes a frame including a pair of elongated vertical upstanding members each including a recess opening outward of the container. The front wall further includes a door pivotably connected to the upstanding members. The door includes an upper panel portion having a pair of wing portions projecting away from one another and receivable in the recesses in the upstanding members.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A collapsible container comprising:
 a base;   a pair of opposed first walls pivotably connected to opposed first edges of the base and movable between an upright position and a collapsed position, wherein each of the first walls is in a first plane perpendicular to the base when in the upright position, wherein each of the first planes contains one of the first edges of the base; and   a second wall pivotably connected to a second edge of the base and movable between an upright position and a collapsed position, wherein the second wall is perpendicular to the first walls when the second wall and the first walls are in the upright position, wherein the second wall includes a frame including a pair of elongated vertical upstanding members extending upward from a lower bar, wherein each of the upstanding members is in one of the first planes when the first walls and the second wall are in the upright position, the second wall further including a door pivotably connected to the upstanding members.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible container of  claim 1 , the door including an upper panel portion and a pair of arms extending downward from the upper panel portion, the pair of arms pivotably secured to the upstanding members. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible container of  claim 2  further including a pair of latches biased away from each other, wherein the pair of latches are mounted to the door and releasably secured to the upstanding members and releasable from the upstanding members upon movement of the latches toward one another. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible container of  claim 1  wherein each of the first walls includes a latch having an interlocking portion, wherein each latch is movable in one of the first planes between a latched and unlatched position, and wherein each of the upstanding members includes a recess facing one of the first walls and configured to receive the interlocking portion of the latch of the one of the first walls. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible container of  claim 4  wherein the base includes a pair of opposed first flanges projecting upward and a second flange projecting upward, wherein the pair of opposed first walls are pivotably connected to the pair of opposed first flanges and the second wall is pivotably connect to the second flange, wherein the second flange is taller than the pair of opposed first flanges. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible container of  claim 1  wherein the base includes a pair of opposed first flanges projecting upward and a second flange projecting upward, wherein the pair of opposed first walls are pivotably connected to the pair of opposed first flanges and the second wall is pivotably connect to the second flange, wherein the second flange is taller than the pair of opposed first flanges. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible container of  claim 1  wherein the upstanding members have a thickness equal to a thickness of the first walls. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible container of  claim 1  wherein the upstanding members do not protrude inward of inner surfaces of the first walls. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible container of  claim 1  in combination with a plurality of containers received between the first walls, wherein the plurality of containers is arranged in four columns across the second wall. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible container of  claim 1  in combination with a plurality of containers received between the first walls, wherein the plurality of containers is arranged with long sides of the plurality of containers oriented toward the second wall and wherein each of the plurality of containers extends from one of the pair of opposed first walls to the other of the pair of opposed first walls. 
     
     
         11 . A container comprising:
 a base;   a pair of opposed first walls connected to opposed first edges of the base;   a second wall connected to a second edge of the base, wherein the second wall is perpendicular to the first walls, wherein the second wall includes an opening therethrough, the second wall further including a door selectively covering at least a portion of the opening, the door including an upper panel portion; and   a latch mounted in the upper panel portion of the door, the latch including at least one resilient leg biasing the latch toward a latched position.   
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the door includes a pair of arms extending downward from the upper panel portion and pivotably secured to the second wall. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the latch is one of a pair of latches biased away from each other, wherein the pair of latches are releasable from the second wall upon movement of the latches toward one another. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the latch includes at least one integrally-formed handle accessible by a user to slide the latch to an unlatched position,. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the door includes a pair of wing portions projecting outward away from one another in the plane of the door, wherein the pair of wing portions includes a first wing portion having a center recess into which an interlocking portion of the latch is biased when the latch is in a latched position. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the latch includes at least one handle accessible by a user to slide the latch toward an unlatched position. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the resilient leg is curved. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the resilient leg contacts a surface of the second wall inward of the latch to bias the latch toward a latched position. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the resilient leg is curved and is biased against a ramped surface to bias the latch toward a latched position. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the resilient leg is one of a plurality of resilient legs formed integrally with a connecting rod, wherein the plurality of resilient legs extends away from one another and away from the connecting rod.