Collapsible storage container

Claim 2

A collapsible storage and shipping container comprising: four rectangular sidewall panels adapted for arrangement with each panel in normal, edge-to-edge relationship with two other panels and in parallel relationship with he remaining panel to form a hollow enclosure with four parallel corner joints, each said corner joint comprising an ungrooved edge of one panel inserted in straight alignment with the remainder of the panel into a recessed groove carried by the edge of an adjacent panel and extending the full length of the panel as an integral part thereof, and with rectangular perimeters at its opposite ends formed by adjacent edges of said sidewall panels; a rectangular bottom panel adapted to connect the corresponding adjacent edges, of the four sidewall panels, forming one said rectangular perimeter; a rectangular cover panel adapted to connect the corresponding adjacent edges, of the four sidewall panels, forming one said rectangular perimeter; and fastening means connected to the ungrooved edges of said panels for locking said corner joints together to form an approximately rectangular container.

Claim 3

A collapsible container according to claim 1, wherein the bottom panel and cover panel each include a groove along the perimeter thereof adapted to receive the corresponding adjacent edges of the sidewall panels which form the respective rectangular perimeters of said hollow enclosure.

Claim 4

A collapsible container according to claim 1, wherein the panels are Of thin-wall construction and include reinforcing structures to resist bending of said panels.

Claim 5

A collapsible container according to claim 1, wherein each joint between adjacent sidewall panels and each joint between sidewall and endwall panels includes a sealant to insure that the assembled container is watertight.

Claim 6

A collapsible container according claim 1, wherein the bottom panel is adapted as a pallet.

Claim 7

A collapsible storage and shipping container comprising: four rectangular sidewall panels, each of which carries a groove at one edge extending the full length of said edge, adapted for arrangement with each panel in normal edge-to-edge relationship with two other panels and in parallel relationship with the remaining panel to form a hollow enclosure with four parallel corner joints, each said corner joint comprising an edge of one panel inserted in the recessed groove of an adjacent panel, and with rectangular perimeters at its opposite ends formed by adjacent edges of said sidewall panels; a rectangular bottom panel adapted to connect the corresponding adjacent edges, of the four sidewall panels, forming one said rectangular perimeter; a rectangular cover panel adapted to connect the corresponding adjacent edges, of the four sidewall panels, forming one said rectangular perimeter; and fastening means connected to the ungrooved edges of said panels for locking said corner joints together to form an approximately rectangular container.

Claim 8

A collapsible storage and shipping container comprising: four rectangular sidewall panels, each of which carries a groove at one edge extending the full length of said edge, adapted for arrangement with each panel in normal edge-to-edge relationship with two other panels and in parallel relationship with the remaining panel to form a hollow enclosure with four parallel corner joints, each said corner joint comprising an edge of one panel inserted in the recessed groove of an adjacent panel, and with rectangular perimeters at its opposite ends formed by adjacent edges of said sidewall panels; a rectangular bottom panel adapted to connect the corresponding adjacent edges, of the four sidewall panels, forming one said rectangular perimeter; a rectangular cover panel adapted to connect the corresponding adjacent edges, of the four sidewall panels, forming one said rectangular perimeter; and fastening means connected to the ungrooved edges of said panels for locking said corner joints together to form an approximately rectangular container.

Claim 9

A collapsible storage and shipping container comprising: four approximately identical rectangular sidewall panels, each of which has three ungrooved edges and carries a groove proximate the remaining edge thereof such that the panels may be arranged with each panel in normal edge-to-edge relationship with two other panels and in parallel relationship with the remaining panel to form a hollow enclosure with four parallel corner joints comprising an ungrooved edge of one panel inserted in a said groove carried by the edge of an adjacent panel and with rectangular perimeters at its opposite d ends formed by adjacent edges of said sidewall panels; a rectangular bottom panel including a groove along the perimeter thereof adapted to receive the edges of the sidewall panels forming one said rectangular perimeter; a rectangular cover panel including a groove along the perimeter thereof adapted to receive the edges of the sidewall panels forming the other rectangular perimeter; and fastening means carried by the said three ungrooved edges of each said panel for releasably connecting the sidewall panels to each other and to the bottom and cover panels.

Claim 10

A collapsible storage and shipping container comprising: four approximately identical rectangular sidewall panels, each of which has three ungrooved edges and carries a groove proximate the remaining edge thereof such that the panels may be arranged with each panel in normal edge-to-edge relationship with two other panels and in parallel relationship with the remaining panel to form a hollow enclosure with four parallel corner joints comprising an ungrooved edge of one panel inserted in a said groove carried by the edge of an adjacent panel and with rectangular perimeters at its opposite d ends formed by adjacent edges of said sidewall panels; a rectangular bottom panel including a groove along the perimeter thereof adapted to receive the edges of the sidewall panels forming one said rectangular perimeter; a rectangular cover panel including a groove along the perimeter thereof adapted to receive the edges of the sidewall panels forming the other rectangular perimeter; and fastening means carried by the said three ungrooved edges of each said panel for releasably connecting the sidewall panels to each other and to the bottom and cover panels.

Claim 11

A collapsible container according to claim 7, wherein each of the sidewall panels, the bottom panel, and the cover panel are of thin-wall construction with reinforcing ribs across their outer surfaces in spaced, parallel alignment with a diagonal thereof.

Claim 12

A collapsible container according to claim 8, wherein each of the sidewall panels is approximately square.

Claim 13

A collapsible container according to claim 9, wherein the fastening means are hingedly attached at one end to the outer surface of the sidewall panels such that their unattached ends extend beyond the edges of said panels, each said unattached end being formed as a hook member adapted to grip the outer surface of the grooved section of a panel receiving said edge.