US 5,328,042 A · Flat storable container

Abstract

A flat-storable container comprises a bottom deck and a pair of opposed sidewalls attached to the bottom deck in hinged relation thereto, to permit the sidewalls to lie flat against the deck in a folded position, and to stand in perpendicular relation thereto in a container-forming position. The sidewalls each typically carry a pair of opposed, foldable side flaps which are proportioned to be unfolded in the container-forming position to form lateral walls between the sidewalls. Thus, sets of the engaging side flaps define lateral container walls extending between ends of the opposed sidewalls, to define with the deck an open-top, rectangular container. A container lid is typically provided, plus straps for holding the lid on the container and for holding engaging side flaps together, when engaging side flaps are used. Alternatively each lateral wall may be defined by a single side flap. Such containers may be of relatively large size, and used in airliner baggage compartments or any other desired use.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A flat-storable container which comprises a bottom deck;

a pair of opposed sidewalls positioned on said bottom deck to permit said sidewalls to lie flat against the deck in a folded position, and to stand in perpendicular relation thereto in a container-forming position;
said sidewalls each carrying a pair of opposed, foldable side flaps which are proportioned to be unfolded into the container-forming position to each engage the side flap of the opposed sidewall, wherein sets of said engaging side flaps define lateral container walls extending between ends of said opposed sidewalls, to define with said deck an open-top, rectangular container;
a container lid;
and means for holding said lid on the container and for holding said engaging side flaps together, said means for holding said lid on the container comprising a strap carried by said lid and having opposed ends, said strap extending under said lid over the entire width of said lid and extending through first slots on opposed sides of said lid for connection at said strap ends outside of said lid with side flap retaining straps when the sidewalls are in said container-forming position.

1 more element

A flat-storable container which comprises a bottom deck;

a pair of opposed sidewalls positioned on said bottom deck to permit said sidewalls to lie flat against the deck in a folded position, and to stand in perpendicular relation thereto in a container-forming position;
said sidewalls each carrying a pair of opposed, foldable side flaps which are proportioned to be unfolded in the container-forming position to each engage the side flap of the opposed sidewall, wherein sets of said engaging side flaps define lateral container walls extending between ends of said opposed sidewalls to define with said deck an open-top, rectangular container;
a container lid;
and means for holding said lid on the container and for holding said engaging side flaps together, said means for holding comprising a strap having opposed ends extending the entire width of said lid and extending through first slots on opposed sides of said lid, for connection at said strap ends with side flap retaining straps, said side flap retaining straps being positioned to extend through second slots which are defined in each side flap, each of said second slots being positioned to be in registry with the second slot of the engaging side flap in the container-forming position, wherein said side flaps are held in engaging relation by said side flap retaining straps.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flat storable container

Life of this patent

Flat storable container

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16