Collapsible, stackable, hard-sided container

Abstract

A container having a base portion including four vertical square tube members of equal length with one tube member at each corner of the base portion, and bottom surfaces of the base portion sloping inwardly to an opening assembly at the bottom of the base portion that consists of a series of uniformly spaced openings closed by a spring loaded horizontally sliding door. The upper portion of the container is formed with four additional vertical square tube members of equal length that provide support for the upper sides of the container, with the upper side walls being pinned to the lower vertical tube members such that the four sides of the container can be rotated downwardly onto the base portion when the container is empty. When the side walls are rotated to an upright position the four upper sides interlock and are held in position by pressure within the container. The structure of the base portion allows lifting and transport by forklift, pallet jacks or similar devices. The spring loaded slide door assembly may be opened remotely with a line connected to a lever mechanism attached either to the container base or to the forklift to permit unloading of the container contents by the lift operator from the seat of the lift vehicle.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.