CN118524970A - Foldable box - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a foldable box (10), which includes a base member (12), a front wall (20) pivotally hinged to the front edge of the base member along its bottom edge, a rear wall (18) pivotally hinged to the rear edge of the base member along its bottom edge; a first side wall (14) pivotally hinged to the first side edge of the base member along its bottom edge and a second side wall (16) pivotally hinged to the second side edge of the base member along its bottom edge; and a locking mechanism arranged at the top of each side wall, which is constructed to stop the joint side edges of the side walls and the adjacent side edges of the front wall and the rear wall respectively.

Description

Foldable Box

Technical Field

The invention relates to a foldable box.

Background Art

The following is a list of references believed to be relevant to the background of the presently disclosed subject matter:

-US7861878

-US8511506

-US9016492

-US9540138

Acknowledgment herein of the above-identified references should not be inferred as meaning that these references are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter.

US7861878 discloses a fastening device for a folding box, the folding box comprises a bottom and four side walls connected to the edge of the bottom in an engaging manner, two opposite walls each having a fastening device for ensuring the unfolding of the box, the device generally comprising a vertically displaceable central piece and some transverse bolts with horizontal displacement for fastening the side walls through their adjacent edges. The folding device comprises an elastic spring member connecting the central control member with the bolt pair, while the spring member holds the bolt in the engaged and fastened position of the bolt in the static position, and for the release position of the bolt, the spring member pulls the bolt towards the release position against the resistance of the elastic member.

US8511506 provides a transport box 1 with hinged sides made of plastic, whereby the height of the hinged sides is greater than a centimeter, or the permissible load of the transport box is greater than 16 kg, and there are three-post door-shaped hollow reinforcement strips in the hinged sides. The surface roughness of the reinforcement strips formed by liquid injection is less than 10 microns.

US9016492 discloses a box body, which comprises a bottom, two end walls and two side walls. The end walls and the side walls are configured to be foldable relative to the bottom. The end walls and the side walls comprise corresponding latching members, which engage with each other to form a latch when the end walls and the side walls are in an unfolded state. A latch release mechanism is provided on the corresponding end wall or the corresponding side wall, wherein the latch release mechanism and/or the latching member on the corresponding wall is configured to be movable so as to extend at least partially above the upper edge of the box for releasing the latch.

US9540138 relates to a plastic collapsible storage and transportation container, which includes a bottom with four collapsible side walls arranged in a hinged manner. Two opposing first side walls are detachably engaged with two other opposing second side walls. The container also includes a cover and a device for sealing the cover to the container in a fixed manner. The bottom formed by the bottom frame and the bottom plate includes at least two grooves that open inwardly and close outwardly along each frame edge, and the groove has a transverse drilling extending parallel to the frame edge of the bottom frame. The groove is used to receive a molded part formed on the first and second side walls, which is provided with a lug extending parallel to the lower edge of the side wall. The lug can be inserted into the transverse drilling of the groove and rotated therein so that it forms a hinged connection between the bottom and the side wall. The cover is formed by two half covers connected to the opposite side walls of the container by a cover hinge.

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention, a foldable box is provided, which includes a base member, a front wall pivotally hinged to the front edge of the base member along its bottom edge, and a rear wall pivotally hinged to the rear edge of the base member along its bottom edge; a first side wall pivotally hinged to the first side edge of the base member along its bottom edge and a second side wall pivotally hinged to the second side edge of the base member along its bottom edge; and a locking mechanism arranged at the top of each side wall, which is constructed to stop the joining side edges of the side walls and the adjacent side edges of the front wall and the rear wall respectively; the box can be constructed between an upright position in which the four walls are upright and a folded position in which the four walls are parallel to the base member.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a foldable box is provided, which includes a base member, a first side wall pivotally hinged to a first side edge of the base member along its bottom edge, and a second side wall pivotally hinged to the second side edge of the base member toward the first side wall and along its bottom edge; a front wall pivotally hinged to the top edge of a raised front section extending at the front edge of the base member along its bottom edge, and a rear wall pivotally hinged to the top edge of a raised rear section extending at the rear edge of the base member toward the front wall and along its bottom edge; and a locking mechanism arranged at the top of each side wall, which is constructed to respectively stop the joining side edges of the side walls and the adjacent side edges of the front wall and the rear wall; the box can be constructed between an upright position in which the four walls are upright and a folded position in which the four walls are parallel to the base member.

The terms "side wall", "front wall" and "rear wall" are used for convenience only and it should be understood that the side wall may constitute the front wall and rear wall, respectively, and vice versa, mutatis mutandis.

According to a specific construction of the present invention, the locking mechanism includes a locking lever pivoted along its longitudinal axis and extending in a locking lever receiving slot provided through the top of the side wall; the locking lever includes a radially protruding locking pin extending beyond the side edge portion of the side wall at each end, and a locking lever operating portion for rotatably operating the locking lever about the longitudinal axis of the locking lever between a locked position and an unlocked position;

Each of the front wall and the rear wall includes a lock pin stop portion configured with a lock pin path and a lock pin stop device at the top side edge portion, wherein in the upright position, an opening of the lock pin path extends relative to the lock pin;

And wherein, in the locked position, the lock pin is stopped from being displaced through the opening of the lock pin path, and in the unlocked position, the lock pin is freely displaceable through the opening of the lock pin path.

Any one or more of the following features, designs and constructions may be applied to any one or more of the aspects and embodiments of the present invention alone or in various combinations thereof:

The side walls are of equal height, and the front wall is shorter than the rear wall, but wherein, in the upright position, the four walls extend to the same height, with coextensive continuous top edges of equal level;

In the upright position, the side walls and the top edges of the front and rear walls extend together;

In the upright position, the side wall is disposed between the rear wall and the front wall;

The rear part of the bulge can be higher than the front part of the bulge;

The thickness of the base member plus the thickness of the side wall plus the thickness of the rear wall plus the thickness of the front wall may be equal to the height of the rear section of the protrusion;

The thickness of the base member plus the thickness of the side wall plus the thickness of the front wall may be equal to the height of the front section of the protrusion;

The height of the front section of the protrusion and the rear section of the protrusion may be the same, wherein the height of the front wall plus the height of the rear wall is equal to or less than the width of the side wall;

In the folded position, the first side wall and the second side wall may be coplanarly disposed above the base member;

In the folded position, the rear wall and the front wall can cover each other and the side walls;

In the folded position, the rear wall and the front wall are arranged coplanarly above the side wall, wherein the height of the front wall plus the thickness of the rear wall is equal to or less than the width of the side wall;

The front side wall is shorter than the rear side wall, and the front part of the bulge is longer than the rear part of the bulge;

The height of the front side wall plus the height of the front section of the protrusion is equal to the height of the rear wall plus the height of the rear section of the protrusion;

The box may be rectangular;

The box can be made of injection molded material;

The width of the box can be equal to or greater than twice the height of the side walls;

In both the upright and collapsed positions, the box can be stacked on top of similar boxes;

A handle may be provided on the top of at least one pair of opposing walls;

The side edges of the front and rear walls may be configured with longitudinal lips whereby, in the upright position, the longitudinal lips overlap over adjacent side edges of adjacent side walls;

The cross section of the locking pin has a first axis and a second axis intersecting the first axis, wherein the second axis

The first axis is longer than the second axis, and wherein, in the locked position, the second axis is oriented toward the opening of the lock pin path (i.e., along the lock pin path), and in the unlocked position, the second axis is oriented toward the lock pin path.

The opening of the tip path;

The first axis is disposed at approximately 90° relative to the second axis;

The operating portion of the locking lever is a handle-shaped portion extending transversely from the lever and arranged outside the outer surface of the side wall; in the locked position, the handle-shaped portion extends substantially flush with the outer surface of the side wall;

The handle-shaped portion may be configured with a gripping portion, wherein in the locked position, the gripping portion is engaged with the handle of the case.

Extending within the opening;

In the locked position, the locking lever can be stopped to prevent accidental displacement from the locked position;

The locking rod can be stopped in the locked position by a spring lock device;

A spring lock device may be constructed between the handle-shaped portion and the handle opening of the box;

In the unlocked position, the handle-shaped portion projects laterally from the outer surface of the side wall;

The lock pin stop means comprises at least one lock pin stop member protruding into the lock pin path;

The locking pin stop device includes a first locking pin stop member and a second locking pin stop member facing each other; The entrance to the locking pin path may be configured with one or more sliding surfaces to facilitate smooth displacement of the locking pin.

Into the locking pin stop;

The diameter of the locking pin can be smaller than the width of the opening of the locking pin path;

The width of the locking pin can be similar to or smaller than the diameter of the locking rod;

The length of the locking pin along the first axis is greater than the height of the stop portion;

The locking pin portion may be configured with a circular cross section;

The locking rod can be received in the locking rod receiving groove at the top of the side wall in a snap-fit manner;

In the locked position, the operating portion of the locking lever can engage with a portion of the handle of the box, thereby facilitating carrying.

transporting the box;

The locking lever is configured to lock the side wall simultaneously with the adjacent rear wall and front wall;

The interconnection means may be constructed between the side edges of the two side walls and the corresponding adjacent side edges of the rear wall and the front wall; The interconnection means may be a plurality of transverse L-shaped protrusions protruding from the edges of the side walls, the plurality of transverse L-shaped protrusions facing outwards and configured to be connected along the rear wall/front wall when the corresponding side wall is displaced to the upright position.

The side edges of the walls are provided with corresponding inner stops of the openings;

The side edges of the rear wall and the front wall may be configured with longitudinal and transverse flanges, wherein, in the erected position, the flanges bear over the edges of the adjacent side walls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the subject matter disclosed herein and to illustrate how it may be implemented in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 is a perspective view of a box in an upright position according to an example of the present invention;

FIG2A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2A-2A in FIG1 ;

FIG2B is a cross-sectional view along line 2B-2B in FIG1 ;

FIG2C is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 2C-2C in FIG2A , showing the hinge coupling of the first side wall in an upright position;

FIG2D is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 2D-2D in FIG2A , showing the hinge coupling of the rear wall in an upright position;

FIG2E is a partial cross-sectional view of the same structure as FIG2C , but in a folded position;

FIG2F is a partial cross-sectional view of the same structure as FIG2D , but in a folded position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the portion marked 3 in Fig. 2A, with the rear wall of the box removed for clarity;

Fig. 4A is a left side perspective view of the box of Fig. 1, but with the front and left side walls removed;

FIG4B is an enlarged view of the upper right corner of the rear wall, showing a locking pin stop according to an example of the present invention;

5A-5B are front (interior) and rear (exterior) perspective views, respectively, of a locking lever according to an example of the present invention;

FIG6A is an enlarged view of the outer corner of the portion marked as 6A in FIG1 ;

6B is an inner angle view along the direction of arrow Z in FIG. 4A , showing the locking mechanism in the locked position;

FIG6C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6C-6C in FIG6A , showing the locking mechanism in the locked position;

FIG6D is an exploded view of the portion shown in FIG6A ;

Fig. 6E is a partial cross-sectional view along line 6E-6E;

7A-7B correspond to FIGS. 6B and 6C , respectively, but show the locking mechanism in an unlocked position;

Fig. 8A shows the right side portion of the box of Fig. 1 with the front and rear walls removed and the locking lever in the unlocked position;

FIG8B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8B-8B in FIG8A with the base member of the box removed;

FIG8C is an enlarged view of the portion marked as 8C in FIG8B ;

Fig. 9A shows the box of Fig. 1 in a fully collapsed position;

FIG9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9B-9B in FIG9A;

FIG9C is a plan view of FIG9B ;

FIG9D is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9D-9D in FIG9A;

FIG9E is a plan view of FIG9D ;

10A-10C are sequential steps showing the displacement of the locking lever between the locked position and the unlocked position; and

11A-11F illustrate the successive steps of folding a box according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

1-4A, there is shown an exemplary collapsible box according to the present invention, generally designated 10. Box 10 is rectangular in shape, and its components are made of injection molded material.

The box 10 includes a base member 12 having four side walls hingedly connected thereto and extending upwardly therefrom in an upright position, namely a first (right) side wall 14, a second (left) side wall 16, a rear wall 18 and a front wall 20.

A raised rear section 24 having a height _Sb extends integrally from the rear edge of the base member 12, and a raised front section 26 extends integrally from the front edge of the base member 12, wherein the raised rear section 24 is taller than the raised front section 26 having a height _Sf ( _Sb > _Sf ), as will be discussed below.

As best shown in Figs. 2C and 2E, the side walls 14, 16 are pivotally hinged to the base member 12 along the side edges of the base member 12 by hinge portions 28 integral with the bottom edges of the side walls 14 and 16 and hinge portions 30 integral with the side edges of the base member 12, thereby eliminating the need for axial hinges, although other hinge arrangements (not shown) may also be used. Similarly, as best shown in Figs. 2D and 2F, the rear wall 18 is pivotally hinged along the top edge of the raised rear section 24 by hinge portions 34 integral with the bottom edge of the rear wall and hinge portions 35 integral with the side edges of the raised rear section 24. The front wall 20 (best shown in Fig. 9A) is pivotally hinged along the top edge of the raised rear section 26 by hinge portions 36. The holding hinge portions 28 and 34 are open, whereby the respective walls 14, 16, 18 and 20 can be disengaged from the base member 12.

As can be further seen in Figures 2D and 2F, the hinge arrangement of the rear wall 18 and the front wall 20 is such that, in the upright position, the bottom outwardly facing inverted L-shaped portion 40 of the rear wall 18/front wall 20 bears over an upright shoulder 42 extending from the raised rear section 24. This arrangement supports the walls 18 and 20 in the upright position and prevents them from pivoting beyond 90°.

It should be noted that the side walls 14 and 16 are of equal length, and the front wall 20 is shorter than the rear wall 18, wherein, in the upright position, the four walls extend to the same height, with a coextensive continuous top edge 19 at the same level. Thus, as can be seen from FIG. 2B , the height difference between the height h _b of the rear wall 18 and the height h _f of the front wall 20 is equal to the difference between the height S _b of the raised rear section 24 and the height S _f of the raised front section 26 (h _b -h _f =S _b -S _f ).

Each of the four side walls is configured with an opening 33 that serves as a handle for the transport box.

6A, 6D, 6E and 8A, which illustrate the interconnection means between the side edges 45 of the two side walls 14 and 16 and the corresponding adjacent side edges 47 of the rear wall 18 and the front wall 20. Thus, the side edges 45 are configured with transverse L-shaped projections 48 that face outwardly and are configured to be retained within corresponding openings 50 provided along the side edges 47 when the corresponding side walls are displaced to the upright position, as will be discussed below.

It should also be noted (as best shown in Figures 6A, 6C-6E and 7B) that the side edges 47 of the rear wall 18 and the front wall 20 can be configured with longitudinal and transverse flanges 54, wherein, in the upright position, the edges 54 are carried over the edges 45 of the adjacent side walls.

As described above, the four walls 14, 16, 18 and 20 are pivotally hinged to corresponding portions of the base member 12, wherein the walls are displaceable between an upright position (Figs. 1 to 4A and 10A to 10C) and a fully collapsed position (Figs. 9A to 9E and 11F).

In order to keep the box 10 in an upright, stable position, a locking mechanism is provided, which is configured to stop the engaging side edges of the side walls and the adjacent side edges of the front and rear walls, respectively. Therefore, a locking rod 60 (as shown separately in Figures 5A and 5B) is provided, which includes a cylindrical portion 67, which is received in a locking rod receiving groove 65 provided through the top of each of the side walls 14 and 16 in a snap-fit manner. The locking rod 60 includes a radially protruding locking pin 66 extending beyond the side edge portion 45 of the side walls 14, 16 at each end thereof, and a handle-like locking rod operating portion 68 for rotatably operating the locking rod around the longitudinal axis of the locking rod between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking pin 66 has a first axis _X1 and a second axis _X2 (Figures 5A, 5B, 6C and 7B) intersecting the first axis _X1 , wherein the first axis is longer than the second axis ( _X1 > _X2 ). The locking lever 60 is rotatable about the longitudinal axis through at least approximately 90° between a locked position and an unlocked position, as will be discussed below.

A locking pin stop 70 is configured at the top side edge 47 of each of the rear wall 18 and the front wall 20, respectively, which is configured with a locking pin path (along arrow 72) and a locking pin stop device, namely a top wall stop 76 and a bottom ridge 78, and the bottom ridge 78 has a sliding surface 82, which is conducive to the smooth displacement of the locking pin 66 into the locking pin stop 70. The distance D between the stop members 76 and 78 at the locking pin path is greater than the length of _X2 , but less than the length of the axis _X1 ( _X2 >D> _X1 ).

The arrangement is such that, in the upright position, the opening of the locking pin path 72 extends opposite to the locking pin 66, and wherein, in the unlocked position ( FIGS. 7A and 7B ), the locking pin 66 is arranged horizontally, i.e., the first axis _X1 is arranged horizontally, wherein the locking pin 66 can freely displace along the locking path 72 through the opening and into the locking pin stop 70. However, in the locked position ( FIGS. 6B and 6C ), the first axis _X1 of the locking pin 66 intersects the locking pin path 72, wherein, once the locking pin 66 is received in the locking pin stop 70, it is stopped by the stop members 76 and 78 and cannot be moved away.

In addition, the locking bar 60 can be stopped in the locked position by a spring lock device including protuberances 83, 85 (located on the operating handle portion 68) and 87, and can be stopped in a snap-fit manner by corresponding protuberances at the side wall to achieve different displacements of the locking bar 60, and wherein the protuberance 85 is stopped in the opening 33 (handle) by its lip 89 (FIG. 3) to stop the locking bar 60 in the locked position. It is worth noting that in the locked position, the operating handle portion 68 of the locking bar 60 is engaged in the opening 33 of the side wall, so that when the box is displaced, it constitutes a part of the handle.

Figures 9A to 9E show the box 10 according to the present invention in a folded position, wherein the first side wall 14 and the second side wall 16 are coplanar and flushly arranged above the top surface 13 of the base member 12, the front wall 20 is straight and flushly located above the side walls 14 and 16, and the rear wall 18 is straight and flushly located above a portion of the front wall 20, wherein the walls 14, 16, 18 and 20 are partially arranged with the base 12.

However, if the height of the front wall plus the height of the rear wall is equal to or less than the width of the side walls (not shown), then the front and rear walls may extend coplanarly over the side walls 14 and 16 in the collapsed position.

It can be seen that the thickness of base member 12 plus the thickness of side walls 14 , 16 plus the thickness of rear wall 18 plus the thickness of front wall 20 equals the height S _b of raised rear section 24 , and the thickness of base member 12 plus the thickness of side walls 14 , 16 plus the thickness of front wall 20 equals the height S _f of raised front section 26 .

10A-11F illustrate sequential steps for erecting/folding the box 10 of the present invention. With the box 10 in its erected, locked position (FIGS. 10A and 11A), the first step is to unlock the locking mechanism by pivoting/swinging the locking lever operating portion 68 outwardly in the direction of arrow 90 (FIGS. 10B and 10C) to overcome the snap-fit protuberance 78. In this way, the locking pin 66 is displaced into the unlocked position (FIGS. 7A and 7B), facilitating the folding of the side walls 14 and 16 toward each other in the direction of arrow 94 (FIGS. 11B to 11C) until the side walls 14 and 16 rest coplanarly and flush above the base member 12 (FIG. 11D). The front wall 20 is then pivoted and folded in the direction of arrow 96 (Figure 11E) until the front wall 20 rests flush above the side walls 14 and 16, and then the rear wall 18 is pivoted and folded in the direction of arrow 98 (Figure 11E) until the rear wall 18 rests flush above the front wall 20, wherein the box is in a flat, compact position (Figure 11F).

Putting the box 10 upright is carried out in the reverse order of operations.

Claims (41)

1. A collapsible bin comprising a base member, a front wall pivotally hinged to a front edge of the base member along a bottom edge thereof, a rear wall pivotally hinged to a rear edge of the base member along a bottom edge thereof; a first side wall pivotally hinged to a first side edge of the base member along a bottom edge thereof and a second side wall pivotally hinged to a second side edge of the base member along a bottom edge thereof; and a locking mechanism disposed at the top of each of the side walls, the locking mechanism being configured to stop the engaging side edges of the side walls and the adjacent side edges of the front and rear walls, respectively; the case may be configured between an upright position in which the four walls are disposed upright and a collapsed position in which the four walls are disposed parallel to the base member.

2. A collapsible bin comprising a base member, a first side wall pivotally hinged to a first side edge of the base member along a bottom edge thereof, and a second side wall pivotally hinged to a second side edge of the base member toward the first side wall and along a bottom edge thereof; a front wall pivotally hinged along a bottom edge thereof to a top edge of a convex front section extending at a front edge of the base member, and a rear wall facing the front wall and pivotally hinged along a bottom edge thereof to a top edge of a convex rear section extending at a rear edge of the base member; and a locking mechanism disposed at the top of each of the side walls, the locking mechanism being configured to stop the engaging side edges of the side walls and the adjacent side edges of the front and rear walls, respectively; the case may be configured between an upright position in which the four walls are disposed upright and a collapsed position in which the four walls are disposed parallel to the base member.

3. A collapsible box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking lever which pivots along its longitudinal axis and extends within a locking lever receiving slot provided through the top of the side wall; the locking lever includes a radially projecting locking pin at each end extending beyond the sidewall skirt portion, and a locking lever operating portion for rotatably operating the locking lever about a longitudinal axis of the locking lever between a locked position and an unlocked position; each of the front wall and the rear wall includes a latch tip stop at a top side edge configured with a latch tip path and a latch tip stop device, wherein in the upright position an opening of the latch tip path extends relative to the latch tip; and wherein in the locked position the lock pin is stopped against displacement through the opening of the lock pin path and in the unlocked position the lock pin is free to displace through the opening of the lock pin path.

4. A collapsible box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the side walls are of equal height and the front wall is shorter than the rear wall, however wherein in the erect position the four walls extend to the same height with an equal level, co-extensive continuous top edge.

5. A collapsible box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the erect position the side walls and the top edges of the front and rear walls are coextensive.

6. A collapsible box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the upright position the side walls are disposed between the rear wall and the front wall.

7. The collapsible box of claim 2, wherein the raised rear section is higher than the raised front section.

8. The collapsible box of claim 2, wherein the thickness of the base member plus the thickness of the side walls plus the thickness of the rear wall plus the thickness of the front wall is equal to the height of the raised rear section.

9. The collapsible box of claim 2, wherein the thickness of the base member plus the thickness of the side walls plus the thickness of the front wall is equal to the height of the raised front section.

10. The collapsible box of claim 2, wherein the height of the raised front section and the raised rear section are the same, wherein the height of the front wall plus the height of the rear wall is equal to or less than the width of the side walls.

11. A collapsible box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the collapsed position the first and second side walls are arranged co-planar above the base member.

12. A collapsible box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the collapsed position the front wall extends flush above the side walls.

13. A collapsible box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the collapsed position one or both of the rear wall and the front wall extend flush above the front wall.

14. The collapsible box of claim 1 or2, wherein in the collapsed position the rear wall and the front wall are disposed coplanar above the side walls, and wherein the height of the front wall plus the height of the rear wall is equal to or less than the width of the side walls.

15. The collapsible box of claim 2, wherein the front side wall is shorter than the rear side wall and the raised front section is longer than the raised rear section.

16. The collapsible box of claim 2, wherein the height of the front side wall plus the height of the raised front section is equal to the height of the rear wall plus the height of the raised rear section.

17. A collapsible bin according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the width of the bin is equal to or greater than twice the height of the side walls.

18. A collapsible bin according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bin is configured for stacking over a similar bin in an erect position and a collapsed position.

19. A collapsible box according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the handle is configured on top of at least one pair of opposing walls.

20. A collapsible box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the side edges of the front and rear walls are configured with longitudinal lips, whereby in the erected position the longitudinal lips overlap over the adjacent side edges of the adjacent side walls.

21. A collapsible box according to claim 3, wherein the cross section of the latch tip has a first axis and a second axis intersecting the first axis, and wherein the first axis is longer than the second axis, and in the locked position the second axis is oriented towards the opening of the latch tip path, and in the unlocked position the second axis is oriented towards the opening of the latch tip path.

22. The collapsible box of claim 21, wherein the first axis is disposed about 90 ° relative to the second axis.

23. A collapsible box as claimed in claim 3, wherein the manipulation portion of the locking lever is a handle-like portion extending laterally from the lever and disposed externally of the outer surface of the side wall.

24. The collapsible box of claim 23, wherein in the locked position, the handle-like portion extends substantially flush with the outer surface of the side wall.

25. The collapsible box of claim 23, wherein the handle-like portion is configured with a grip portion, wherein in the locked position the grip portion extends within a handle opening of the box.

26. A collapsible box as claimed in claim 3, wherein in the locked position the locking lever is snap-fittingly stopped, thereby preventing accidental displacement from the locked position.

27. A collapsible box according to claim 3, wherein the locking lever is lockable in the locked position by a snap lock arrangement.

28. The collapsible box of claim 27, wherein the snap lock arrangement is configured between the handle-like portion and the handle opening of the box.

29. The collapsible box of claim 23, wherein in the unlocked position the handle-like portion protrudes laterally from the outer surface of the side wall.

30. A collapsible box according to claim 3, wherein the latch stop means comprises at least one latch stop member protruding into the latch path.

31. A collapsible box according to claim 3, wherein the latch stop means comprises a first latch stop member and a second latch stop member facing each other.

32. A collapsible box according to claim 3, wherein the entrance to the latch tip path is configured with one or more sliding surfaces so that the latch tip is smoothly displaced into the latch tip stop.

33. A collapsible box according to claim 3, wherein the diameter of the lock pin is less than the width of the opening of the lock pin path.

34. A collapsible box according to claim 3, wherein the width of the locking pin is similar to or less than the diameter of the locking bar.

35. A collapsible box according to claim 3, wherein the length of the lock pin along the first axis is greater than the height of the stop.

36. A collapsible box according to claim 3, wherein the locking bar is received in a snap-fit manner within the locking bar receiving groove in the top of the side wall.

37. The collapsible bin of claim 36, wherein in the locked position, the handle portion of the locking lever engages a portion of the bin handle, thereby facilitating handling of the bin.

38. A collapsible box according to claim 3, wherein the locking bar is configured to lock the side walls simultaneously with the adjacent rear and front walls.

39. A collapsible box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an interconnection means is configured between the side edges of the two side walls and respective adjacent side edges of the rear wall and the front wall.

40. The collapsible box of claim 39, wherein the interconnection means is a plurality of lateral L-shaped protrusions protruding from edges of the side walls, the plurality of lateral L-shaped protrusions facing outwardly and configured for stopping within respective openings provided along side edges of the rear/front walls when the respective side walls are displaced to the upright position.

41. The collapsible box of claim 1 or 2, wherein the side edges of the rear wall and the front wall are configured with longitudinal and transverse flanges, wherein in the upright position the edges are carried over the edge portions of the adjacent side walls.