Collapsible container with integrally supported dunnage and side entry

A reusable and returnable container for holding product therein during shipment and then being returned for reuse, the container comprising:

• a body having at least two opposing and moveable side structures which are configured for being selectively moved into an erected position for shipment and moved into a collapsed position for reducing the size of the container for return;
• at least one side structure comprising an open frame with a section hingedly coupled with respect to the body to be selectively hinged between the collapsed and erected positions;
• a dunnage structure spanning between the side structures, the dunnage structure being operably coupled to the open frame for moving to an erected position for receiving product when the frame is erected and moving to a collapsed position in the body when the frame is collapsed so that the dunnage remains with the container when returned;
• the dunnage structure having an open end facing the open frame, the frame defining an open area which is in alignment with the dunnage structure open end for accessing the dunnage structure and transferring product into and out of the dunnage structure from a side of the container;
• whereby a person may more efficiently and safely remove product from the container and the container and dunnage is readily reused.

A reusable and returnable container for holding product therein during shipment and then being returned for reuse, the container comprising:

• a body having at least two opposing and moveable side structures which are configured for being selectively moved into an erected position for shipment and moved into a collapsed position for reducing the size of the container for return;
• a dunnage structure spanning between the side structures, the dunnage structure being operably coupled to the side structures for moving to an erected position for receiving product when the side structures are erected and moving to a collapsed position in the body when the side structures are collapsed so that the dunnage remains with the container when returned;
• the dunnage structure having an open end facing at least one side structure of the body, the at least one side structure defining an open area which is in alignment with the dunnage structure open end for accessing the dunnage structure and transferring product into and out of the dunnage structure from a side of the container;
• a flexible cover overlying said open area for closing the side structure, the cover operable to collapse with the side structure in the collapsed position while remaining over a portion of said open area for preventing undesired contaminants from entering the container when it is collapsed.
• whereby a person may more efficiently and safely remove product from the container and the container and dunnage is readily reused.