Collapsible, lightweight container for sorting and delivery of packaged items

A method comprising:

• placing a container in a holding compartment of a loading rack within a sortation facility, wherein the container comprises:
• a plurality of panels forming boundaries of an interior volume of the container, the plurality of panels configurable to transition between a collapsed state and an expanded state, wherein the plurality of panels are dimensioned for facilitating stowage of the container in the collapsed state, for facilitating loading of packaged items into the interior volume in the expanded state based at least in part on the container being placed in the holding compartment, wherein the plurality of panels comprises:
• a first panel comprising a first base portion, a first fastener, and a first flap, wherein the first fastener releasably attaches the first flap with the first base portion, and wherein the first fastener can be operated to expose an opening for the loading of the packaged items into the interior volume through the first panel, and
• a second panel comprising a second base portion, a second fastener, a second flap that comprises a mesh portion, wherein the second fastener releasably attaches the second flap with the second base portion, wherein the second fastener is operated to release at least a portion of the second panel permitting the unloading of the packaged items from the interior volume through the second panel;
• loading, in the expanded state, the packaged items into the interior volume through the opening in the first panel based at least in part on a first operation applied to the first fastener;
• and
• re-sealing, in the expanded state, the opening in the first panel based at least in part on a second operation applied to the first fastener.

A method comprising:

• placing a container in a holding compartment of a loading rack within a sortation facility, wherein the container comprises:
• a plurality of panels forming boundaries of an interior volume of the container, the plurality of panels configurable to transition between a collapsed state and an expanded state, wherein the plurality of panels are dimensioned for facilitating stowage of the container in the collapsed state, for facilitating loading of packaged items into the interior volume in the expanded state based at least in part on the container being placed in the holding compartment, wherein the plurality of panels comprises:
• a loading panel comprising a first base portion, a first fastener, and a loading flap, wherein the first fastener releasably attaches the loading flap with the first base portion, and wherein the first fastener can be operated to expose an opening for the loading of the packaged items into the interior volume through the loading panel, and
• an unloading panel comprising a second base portion, a second fastener, and an unloading flap that comprises a mesh portion, wherein the second fastener releasably attaches the unloading flap with the second base portion, wherein the second fastener is operated to release at least a portion of the unloading panel permitting the unloading of the packaged items from the interior volume through the unloading panel;
• a frame attached with a first panel of the plurality of panels;
• and
• a folding member located within the interior volume and attached with a panel of the plurality of panels, wherein a first arrangement of the folding member relative to the frame permits transitioning the plurality of panels to the collapsed state, and wherein a second arrangement of the folding member relative to the frame constrains the plurality of panels from transitioning out of the expanded state;
• loading, in the expanded state, the packaged items into the interior volume through the opening in the loading panel based at least in part on a first operation applied to the first fastener;
• and
• re-sealing, in the expanded state, the opening in the loading panel based at least in part on a second operation applied to the first fastener.