Collapsible shipping container having reinforced base element

An improved collapsible shipping container comprising:

• a base element, a reinforcing element, a side wall element, and a lid element;
• said base element being of generally planar rectangular configuration, and having upper and lower surfaces;
• said reinforcing element including a bottom wall having its lower surface secured to said upper surface of said base element, front and rear walls foldably interconnected to said bottom wall, each having foldably interconnected flaps thereon, said front and read walls and associated flaps being interconnected to form an open topped enclosure;
• said side wall element including a single piece of fiberboard forming a rear wall, first and second side walls, and first and second front walls selectively secured in mutually overlapped relation when said container is erected and closed;
• said side and rear walls of said side wall element each having foldably interconnected elongated flaps at the lower edges thereof, said elongated flaps being secured to the upper surface of said bottom wall of said reinforcing element;
• said overlapping front walls having lower portions thereof disposed within said enclosure;
• said side walls of said side wall element having fold lines disposed thereon and positioned above said enclosure, whereby said side wall element may be folded to generally planar condition at least partially extending into said enclosure;
• said cover element including a top wall selectively overlying said enclosure, and side walls corresponding in height to those of said reinforcing element.