JP2025500154A - Foldable Crate - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a collapsible crate (10) comprising a base member (12), a front wall (20) pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a front edge of the base member, a rear wall (18) pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a rear edge of the base member, a first side wall (14) pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a first side edge of the base member, and a second side wall (16) pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a second side edge of the base member, and locking mechanisms disposed at the tops of each of the side walls, the locking mechanisms configured to restrain an engaging side edge of the side wall and adjacent side edges of the front and rear walls, respectively. [Selected Figures]

Description

This disclosure relates to a foldable crate.

The following documents are considered relevant as background to the subject matter of the present disclosure:
- U.S. Patent No. 7,861,878 - U.S. Patent No. 8,511,506 - U.S. Patent No. 9,016,492 - U.S. Patent No. 9,540,138

Acknowledgement of the above documents in this specification should not be inferred as meaning that they are in any way relevant to the patentability of the subject matter of this disclosure.

U.S. Patent No. 7,861,878 discloses a fastening device for a collapsible box, the collapsible box including a bottom and four side walls joined in a joint manner to the edges of the bottom, two opposing walls having respective fastening devices for ensuring the unfolding of the box, the device generally including a vertically displaceable central piece and several horizontally displaceable lateral bolts for fastening the side walls via their adjacent edges. The collapsible device includes an elastic spring element connecting the central control piece and a pair of bolts, the spring element simultaneously maintaining the bolts in the engaged and fastened position in the rest position, and in the released position of the bolts, the spring element pulls the bolts towards the released position against the resistance of the elastic element.

In U.S. Patent No. 8,511,506, a shipping case 1 is provided with a hinged side section made of plastic, whereby the height of the hinged side section is greater than a centimeter or the load capacity of the shipping case is greater than 16 kilograms, and a small window-type hollow reinforcing strip is present in the hinged side section. The reinforcing strip formed by liquid injection has a surface roughness of less than 10 micrometers.

U.S. Patent No. 9,016,492 discloses a crate including a bottom, two end walls, and two side walls. The end walls and side walls are configured to be foldable relative to the bottom. The end walls and side walls include respective latch elements that engage with each other to form a latch when the end walls and side walls are in an unfolded state. A latch release mechanism is provided on each end wall or each side wall, and the latch release mechanism and/or the latch element on each wall are configured to be movable to extend at least partially above a top edge of the crate to release the latch.

US Patent No. 9,540,138 relates to a plastic foldable storage and transport container, which comprises a bottom and four foldable side walls articulated on the bottom. Two opposing first side walls are releasably engageable with two other opposing second side walls. The container also comprises a cover and means for fixedly sealing the cover to the container. The bottom, formed by a bottom frame and a bottom plate, comprises at least two inwardly open and outwardly closed recesses along each frame side, said recesses having lateral bore holes extending parallel to the frame sides of the bottom frame. The recesses are used to receive molded parts formed in the first and second side walls with lugs extending parallel to the lower edges of the side walls. The lugs can be inserted into the lateral bore holes of the recesses and rotated therein to form hinged connections between the bottom and the side walls. The cover is formed by two cover halves connected to the opposing side walls of the container by cover hinges.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a foldable crate comprising a base member, a front wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a front edge of the base member, a rear wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a rear edge of the base member, a first side wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a first side edge of the base member, and a second side wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a second side edge of the base member, and a locking mechanism disposed at an upper portion of each of the side walls and configured to restrain an engaging side edge of the side wall and adjacent side edges of the front wall and rear wall, respectively, the foldable crate being configurable between an upright position in which the four walls are disposed in an upright position and a folded position in which the four walls are disposed in parallel on the base member.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a foldable crate comprising a base member, a first side wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a first side edge of the base member, a second side wall opposing the first side wall and pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a second side edge of the base member, a front wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to an upper edge of a raised front segment extending to a front edge of the base member, a rear wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to an upper edge of a raised rear segment opposing the front wall and extending to a rear edge of the base member, and a locking mechanism disposed at an upper portion of each of the side walls and configured to respectively restrain an engaging side edge of the side wall and adjacent side edges of the front and rear walls, the foldable crate being configurable between an upright position in which the four walls are disposed in an upright position and a folded position in which the four walls are disposed in parallel on the base member.

The terms "side wall", "front wall" and "rear wall" are used merely for convenience, it being understood that a side wall can constitute a front wall and a rear wall, respectively, mutatis mutandis, and vice versa.

According to a particular configuration of the present disclosure, the locking mechanism includes a locking bar pivotally movable along its longitudinal axis, the locking bar extending into a locking bar receiving groove disposed across the top of the side wall, the locking bar including radially projecting locking tabs at each end that extend beyond side edge portions of the side wall, and a locking bar operating portion for pivotally operating the locking bar about its longitudinal axis between locked and unlocked positions;
Each of the front and rear walls includes a locking tab restraining portion at a top side edge portion configured with a locking tab path and a locking tab obstruction arrangement, and in an upright position, an opening of the locking tab path extends opposite the locking tab;
In the locked position, the locking tab is obstructed and prevented from displacing through the opening in the locking tab path, and in the unlocked position, the locking tab is free to displace through the opening in the locking tab path.

Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations may be applied separately or in various combinations thereof to any one or more of the aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure:
- the side walls are of equal height, the front wall being shorter than the rear wall, however, in the upright position, the four walls extend to the same height and have equal levelled, coextensive and continuous upper edges;
- in the upright position, the upper edges of the side walls and the front and rear walls are coextensive;
In the upright position, the side walls are disposed between the rear wall and the front wall;
- The raised posterior segment may be higher than the raised anterior segment;
- the thickness of the base member + the thickness of the side walls + the thickness of the rear wall + the thickness of the front wall may be equal to the height of the raised rear segment;
- the thickness of the base member + the thickness of the side walls + the thickness of the front wall may be equal to the height of the raised front segment;
- the raised front segment may have the same height as the raised rear segment, where 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 arranged flush on the base member;
In the folded position, the rear and front walls overlap each other and the side walls can overlap;
- in the folded position, the rear wall and the front wall can be arranged flush on the side walls, with the height of the front wall plus the height of the rear wall being equal to or less than the width of the side walls;
- the anterior sidewall is shorter than the posterior sidewall and the raised anterior segment is longer than the raised posterior segment;
- the height of the anterior sidewall plus the height of the raised anterior segment is equal to the height of the posterior wall plus the height of the raised posterior segment;
- the crate may have a rectangular shape;
- the crate may be made of moulded plastic material;
- The width of the crate may be equal to or exceed twice the height of the side walls;
- the crates can be stacked on top of similar crates in the upright and folded positions;
- carrying handles may be located at 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, so that in the upright position the longitudinal lips overlap the adjacent side edges of the adjacent side walls;
- the cross-section of the locking tab has a first axis and a second axis intersecting the first axis, the first axis being longer than the second axis, and in the locked position, the second axis faces the opening of the locking tab path (i.e., is along the locking tab path), and in the unlocked position, the second axis faces the opening of the locking tab path;
the first axis is disposed at approximately 90° to said second axis;
the operating part of the locking bar is a handle-like part extending laterally from the bar and arranged outside the outer surface of the side wall;
in the locked position, said handle-like portion extends substantially flush with the outer surface of the side wall;
- the handle-like portion may be configured with a grip portion, which in the locked position extends into a carrying handle opening of the crate;
In the locked position the locking bar is constrained, thereby preventing unintentional displacement from the locked position;
- the locking bar can be restrained in a locked position by a snap-lock arrangement;
- a snap-lock arrangement may be arranged between the handle-like portion and the carrying handle opening of the crate;
in the unlocked position, said handle-like portion projects laterally from the outer surface of the side wall;
the locking tab obstruction arrangement comprises at least one locking tab obstruction member projecting into the locking tab path;
the locking tab obstruction arrangement comprises a first locking tab obstruction member and a second locking tab obstruction member opposed to each other;
- the entrance to the locking tab path may be configured with one or more sliding surfaces to facilitate smooth displacement of the locking tab into the locking tab restraining portion;
- The diameter of the locking bar may be smaller than the width of the opening of the locking tab passage;
- the width of the locking tab may be similar to or smaller than the diameter of the locking bar;
- the length of the locking tab along the first axis may be greater than the height of the restraining portion;
- the locking bar may be partially constructed with a rounded cross section;
- the locking bar can be snap-fit received into a locking bar receiving groove in the top of the side wall;
- in the locked position, the operating part of the locking bar can be integrated into part of the carrying handle, thereby making it easier to transport the crate;
- the locking bar is configured to simultaneously lock the side wall with the adjacent rear and front walls;
An interconnection arrangement can be configured between the side edges of the two side walls and the adjacent side edges of the rear wall and the front wall, respectively.
- the interconnection arrangement can be a plurality of lateral L-shaped projections from the edge of the side wall, the plurality of lateral L-shaped projections facing outwardly and configured to be captured within respective openings disposed along the side edges of the rear/front wall upon displacement of the respective side wall to an upright position;
The side edges of the rear and front walls can be configured with edges projecting laterally in the longitudinal direction, said edges resting against the edges of the adjacent side walls in the upright position.

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

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a crate in an upright position according to an example of the present disclosure. 2A is a cross-section taken along line 2A-2A of FIG. 2B is a cross section taken along line 2B-2B of FIG. 2C is a local cross-section taken along line 2C-2C of FIG. 2A, showing the hinged first side wall in an upright position. 2D is a local cross-section taken along line 2D-2D of FIG. 2A, showing the hinged rear wall in an upright position. FIG. 2D is the same local cross-section as FIG. 2C, but in the folded position. FIG. 2E shows the same local cross section as in FIG. 2D, but in the folded position. FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of the portion marked 3 in FIG. 2A, with the rear wall of the crate removed for clarity. FIG. 2 is a left side perspective view of the crate of FIG. 1 with the front and left side walls removed. FIG. 13 is a close-up view of the upper right corner of the rear wall illustrating a locking tab restraint portion according to one example of the present disclosure. 1A-1D are front (inner) and rear (outer) perspective views, respectively, of a locking bar according to one example of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is an enlarged outer corner view of the portion designated 6A in FIG. 1. FIG. 4B is an inside corner view in the direction of arrow Z of FIG. 4A showing the locking mechanism in a locked position. FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6C-6C of FIG. 6A, showing the locking mechanism in a locked position. FIG. 6B is an exploded view of the portion seen in FIG. 6A. A local cross section taken along line 6E-6E. 6B and 6C, respectively, but showing the locking mechanism in an unlocked position. 2 shows the right hand portion of the crate of FIG. 1 with the front and rear walls removed and the locking bar in the unlocked position. 8B is a cross section taken along line 8B-8B of FIG. 8A with the base member of the crate removed. FIG. 8C is an enlarged view of the portion indicated as 8C in FIG. 8B. 2 shows the crate of FIG. 1 in a fully collapsed position. 9B is a cross section taken along line 9B-9B of FIG. 9A. FIG. 9C is a plan view of FIG. 9B. 9D is a cross section taken along line 9D-9D of FIG. 9A. FIG. 9D is a plan view of FIG. 10A-10C are sequential steps illustrating the displacement of the locking bar between the locked and unlocked positions. 11A-11F are sequential steps illustrating the folding of a crate according to the present disclosure.

Attention is initially directed to Figures 1-4A, which are directed to a collapsible crate, generally designated 10, according to one example of the present disclosure. Crate 10 has a rectangular shape and its components are made from a molded plastic material.

The crate 10 comprises a base member 12 and four side walls connected to the base member 12 and extending upwardly from the base member 12 in an upright position: a first (right) side wall 14, a second (left) side wall 16, a rear wall 18, and a front wall 20.

There is a raised rear segment 24 of height _Sb extending integrally with the rear edge of the base member 12, and there is a raised front segment 26 extending integrally with the front edge of the base member 12, the raised rear segment 24 being taller than the raised front segment 26 of height _Sf ( _Sb > _Sf ), as described below.

As best seen in Figures 2C and 2E, the side walls 14, 16 are pivotally articulated to the base member 12 along the side edges of the base member 12 via hinge portions 28 integral with the bottom edges of the side walls 14, 16 and hinge portions 30 integral with the side edges of the base member 12, thus omitting the axle-type hinges, although other hinge arrangements are possible (not shown). Similarly, as best seen in Figures 2D and 2F, the rear wall 18 is pivotally articulated along the top edge of the raised rear segment 24 via 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 segment 24. The front wall 20 (best seen in Figure 9A) is pivotally articulated along the top edge of the raised rear segment 26 via hinge portions 36. The containing hinge portions 28 and 34 are open, thereby allowing the respective walls 14, 16, 18 and 20 to be removed from the base member 12.

2D and 2F, the hinge arrangement of the rear wall 18 and front wall 20 is such that, in the upright position, the bottom, outwardly facing, inverted L-shaped portion 40 of the rear/front walls 18, 20 rests against an upright shoulder portion 42 extending from the raised rear segment 24. This arrangement supports the walls 18, 20 in the upright position and prevents their pivotal displacement beyond 90°.

It should be noted that side walls 14 and 16 are of equal length and front wall 20 is shorter than rear wall 18; however, in the upright position all four walls extend to the same height, are equally horizontal, coextensive and have a continuous upper edge 19. Thus, as can be seen in Figure 2B, the difference in height between the height _hb of rear wall 18 and the height _hf of front wall 20 is equal to the difference between the height _Sb of raised rear segment 24 and the height _Sf of raised front segment 26 ( _hb - _hf = _Sb - _Sf ).

Each of the four walls has an opening 33 formed therein that serves as a carrying handle for transporting the crate.

6A, 6D, 6E and 8A, which show the interconnection arrangement between the side edges 45 of the two side walls 14 and 16 and the adjacent side edges 47 of the rear wall 18 and front wall 20, respectively. Thus, the side edges 45 have outwardly facing transverse L-shaped projections 48 that are configured to be captured within respective openings 50 located along the side edges 47 when the respective side walls are displaced into an upright position, as will be described below.

As also described (best seen in Figures 6A, 6C-6E and 7B), the side edges 47 of the rear wall 18 and front wall 20 are configured with longitudinally extending laterally projecting edges 54 that, in the upright position, rest against the edge portions 45 of the adjacent side walls.

As described herein above, the four walls 14, 16, 18 and 20 are pivotally articulated to respective portions of the base member 12 such that the walls are displaceable between an upright position (FIGS. 1-4A and 10A-10C) and a fully collapsed position (FIGS. 9A-9E and 11F).

To maintain the crate 10 in an upright and stable position, a locking mechanism is provided which is configured to restrain mating side edges of the side walls and adjacent side edges of the front and rear walls, respectively. Thus, a locking bar 60 (seen in isolation in FIGS. 5A and 5B ) is provided which includes a cylindrical portion 67 which is snap-fit received within a locking bar receiving groove 65 located across the top of each of the side walls 14 and 16. The locking bar 60 includes radially projecting locking tabs 66 at each end thereof which extend beyond the side edge portions 45 of the side walls 14, 16, and a handle-shaped locking bar operating portion 68 for rotatably operating the locking bar about its longitudinal axis between locked and unlocked positions. The locking tab 66 has a first axis _X1 and a second axis _X2 (FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6C and 7B) that intersects the first axis _X1 , the first axis being longer than the second axis ( _X1 > _X2 ). The locking bar 60 is rotatable on its longitudinal axis through at least 90° between a locked position and an unlocked position, as described below.

Top side edge portion 47 of each of rear wall 18 and front wall 20 is provided with a locking tab restraining portion 70 configured with a locking tab path (along arrow 72) and a locking tab obstruction arrangement, i.e., top wall obstruction 76 and bottom ridge 78, having a sliding surface 82 for facilitating smooth displacement of locking tab 66 into locking tab restraining portion 70. Distance D in the locking tab path between obstruction members 76 and 78 is greater than the length of _X2 but less than the length of axis _X1 ( _X2 >D> _X1 ).

This arrangement is such that in the upright position, the opening of the locking tab path 72 extends opposite the locking tab 66, and in the unlocked position (FIGS. 7A and 7B), the locking tab 66 is horizontally disposed, i.e. the first axis _X1 is horizontally disposed, and the locking tab 66 is free to displace along the locking path 72 through the opening and into the locking tab restraining portion 70. However, in the locked position (FIGS. 6B and 6C), said first axis _X1 of the locking tab 66 intersects with the locking tab path 72, and once received within the locking tab restraining portion 70, the locking tab 66 is prevented from displacement because it is obstructed by the obstructing members 76 and 78.

Furthermore, the locking bar 60 can be restrained in the locked position by a snap-lock arrangement comprising ridges 83, 85 (at the operating handle portion 68) and 87 that can be snap-fitted by corresponding ridges in the sidewall for positive displacement of the locking bar 60, with ridge 85 being restrained by its lip 89 (FIG. 3) within the opening 33 (carrying handle) to restrain the locking bar 60 in the locked position. Notably, in the locked position, the operating handle portion 68 of the locking bar 60 merges into the opening 33 in the sidewall so as to form part of the carrying handle when the crate is displaced.

Figures 9A-9E show a crate 10 according to the present disclosure in a folded position, in which the first side wall 14 and the second side wall 16 are flush and at the same height over the top surface 13 of the base member 12, the front wall 20 rests flat and at the same height over the side walls 14 and 16, the rear wall 18 rests flat and at the same height over a portion of the front wall 20, and the walls 14, 16, 18 and 20 and the base 12 are partially folded.

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) than the front wall, the rear wall can extend flush above the side walls 14 and 16 in the folded 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 is equal to the height _Sb of raised rear segment 24, and the thickness of base member 12 plus the thickness of side walls 14, 16 plus the thickness of front wall 20 is equal to the height _Sf of raised front segment 26.

10A-11F illustrate the sequential steps for erecting/folding the crate 10 of the present disclosure. For example, assuming the crate 10 is in its upright, locked position (FIGS. 10A and 11A), the first step is to unlock the locking mechanism by pivoting/displacing the locking bar operating portion 68 outward in the direction of arrow 90 (FIGS. 10B and 10C) and overriding the snap ridge 78. In so doing, the locking tabs 66 are displaced to an unlocked position (FIGS. 7A and 7B) and facilitate the side walls 14 and 16 folding toward each other in the direction of arrow 94 (FIGS. 11B-11C) until they rest flush and at the same height on the base member 12 (FIG. 11D). Next, the front wall 20 is pivotally folded in the direction of arrow 96 (FIG. 11E) until it rests flush above the side walls 14 and 16, and then the rear wall 18 is pivotally folded in the direction of arrow 98 (FIG. 11E) until it rests flush above the front wall 20 (FIG. 11F), where the crate assumes a flat, compact position (FIG. 11F).

To erect the crate 10, the steps are reversed.

Claims (41)

A foldable crate comprising a base member, a front wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a front edge of the base member, a rear wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a rear edge of the base member, a first side wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a first side edge of the base member, and a second side wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a second side edge of the base member, and a locking mechanism disposed on each of the side walls and configured to respectively restrain an engaging side edge of the side wall and adjacent side edges of the front and rear walls, the foldable crate being configurable between an upright position in which the four walls are arranged in an upright position and a folded position in which the four walls are arranged in parallel on the base member. A foldable crate comprising a base member, a first side wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a first side edge of the base member, a second side wall opposing the first side wall and pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to a second side edge of the base member, a front wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to an upper edge of a raised front segment extending to a front edge of the base member, a rear wall pivotally articulated along its bottom edge to an upper edge of a raised rear segment extending to a rear edge of the base member, and a locking mechanism disposed at the top of each of the side walls and configured to respectively restrain an engaging side edge of the side wall and an adjacent side edge of the front wall and rear wall, the foldable crate being configurable between an upright position in which the four walls are arranged in an upright position and a folded position in which the four walls are arranged in parallel on the base member. the locking mechanism comprises a locking bar pivotally movable along its longitudinal axis, the locking bar extending into a locking bar receiving groove disposed across a top of a side wall, the locking bar having radially projecting locking tabs at each end extending beyond side edge portions of the side walls and locking bar manipulation portions for pivotally manipulating the locking bar about its longitudinal axis between locked and unlocked positions, each of the front and rear walls having a locking tab constraint portion at a top side edge portion configured with a locking tab path and a locking tab obstruction arrangement, in an upright position an opening in the locking tab path extends opposite the locking tab, in the locked position the locking tab is obstructed and prevented from being displaced through the opening in the locking tab path, and in the unlocked position the locking tab is free to displace through the opening in the locking tab path.
A collapsible crate according to claim 1 or 2. A collapsible crate as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the side walls are of equal height and the front wall is shorter than the rear wall, but in the upright position, the four walls extend to the same height and have equal levelled, coextensive, continuous upper edges. The collapsible crate of claim 1 or 2, wherein in the upright position, the upper edges of the side walls and the front and rear walls are coextensive. The foldable crate of claim 1 or 2, wherein in an upright position, the side walls are disposed between the rear wall and the front wall. The collapsible crate of claim 2, wherein the raised rear segment is higher than the raised front segment. The foldable crate of claim 2, wherein the thickness of the base member + the thickness of the side walls + the thickness of the rear wall + the thickness of the front wall is equal to the height of the raised rear segment. The foldable crate 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 segment. The collapsible crate of claim 2, wherein the raised front segment has the same height as the raised rear segment, and 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. The foldable crate of claim 1 or 2, wherein in the folded position, the first side wall and the second side wall are disposed flush on the base member. The collapsible crate of claim 1 or 2, wherein in the folded position, the front wall extends flush above the side walls. The collapsible crate of claim 1 or 2, wherein in the folded position, one or both of the rear wall and the front wall extend flush above the front wall. The foldable crate of claim 1 or 2, wherein in the folded position, the rear wall and the front wall are flush with the side walls, and 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. The collapsible crate of claim 2, wherein the front sidewall is shorter than the rear sidewall and the raised front segment is longer than the raised rear segment. The foldable crate of claim 2, wherein the height of the front sidewall plus the height of the raised front segment is equal to the height of the rear wall plus the height of the raised rear segment. The collapsible crate of claim 1 or 2, wherein the width of the crate is equal to or exceeds twice the height of the side walls. The foldable crate of claim 1 or 2, wherein the crate is configured to stack on top of similar crates in the upright and folded positions. The foldable crate of claim 1 or 2, wherein carrying handles are configured on the tops of at least one pair of opposing walls. The collapsible crate of claim 1 or 2, wherein the side edges of the front and rear walls are configured with longitudinal lips such that, in the upright position, the longitudinal lips overlap adjacent side edges of adjacent side walls. The collapsible crate of claim 3, wherein the cross section of the locking tab has a first axis and a second axis that intersects the first axis, the first axis being longer than the second axis, and in the locked position, the second axis faces an opening of the locking tab path, and in the unlocked position, the second axis faces an opening of the locking tab path. 22. The collapsible crate of claim 21, wherein the first axis is disposed at approximately 90 degrees relative to the second axis. The foldable crate of claim 3, wherein the operating portion of the locking bar is a handle-like portion extending laterally from the bar and positioned outside the outer surface of the side wall. 24. The collapsible crate of claim 23, wherein in the locked position, the handle-like portion extends substantially flush with the outer surface of the side wall. 24. The collapsible crate of claim 23, wherein the handle-like portion is configured to have a grip portion, and in the locked position, the grip portion extends into a carrying handle opening of the crate. The collapsible crate of claim 3, wherein in the locked position, the locking bar is snap-fitted to prevent unintentional displacement from the locked position. The foldable crate of claim 3, wherein the locking bar can be restrained in the locked position by a snap-lock arrangement. 28. The collapsible crate of claim 27, wherein the snap-lock arrangement is configured between the handle-like portion and the carrying handle opening of the crate. 24. The collapsible crate of claim 23, wherein in the unlocked position, the handle-like portion protrudes laterally from an outer surface of the side wall. The collapsible crate of claim 3, wherein the locking tab obstruction arrangement comprises at least one locking tab obstruction member that protrudes into the locking tab path. The collapsible crate of claim 3, wherein the locking tab obstruction arrangement comprises a first locking tab obstruction member and a second locking tab obstruction member opposed to each other. The collapsible crate of claim 3, wherein an entrance to the locking tab path is configured with one or more sliding surfaces to facilitate smooth displacement of the locking tab into the locking tab restraining portion. The collapsible crate of claim 3, wherein the diameter of the locking tab is less than the width of the opening of the locking tab path. The foldable crate of claim 3, wherein the width of the locking tab is similar to or smaller than the diameter of the locking bar. The foldable crate of claim 3, wherein the length of the locking tab along the first axis is greater than the height of the restraining portion. The collapsible crate of claim 3, wherein the locking bar is snap-fit received within the locking bar receiving groove at the top of the side wall. The collapsible crate of claim 36, wherein in the locked position, the operating portion of the locking bar merges with a portion of the carrying handle of the crate, thereby facilitating transport of the crate. The collapsible crate of claim 3, wherein the locking bar is configured to simultaneously lock the side wall with the adjacent rear and front walls. The foldable crate of claim 1 or 2, wherein an interconnection arrangement is configured between side edges of the two side walls and adjacent side edges of the rear wall and the front wall, respectively. The collapsible crate of claim 39, wherein the interconnecting arrangements are a plurality of lateral L-shaped projections from the edges of the side walls, the plurality of lateral L-shaped projections facing outwardly and configured to be captured within respective openings disposed along the side edges of the rear/front walls when the respective side walls are displaced to an upright position. The collapsible crate of claim 1 or 2, wherein the side edges of the rear wall and the front wall are configured to have longitudinally extending edges that, in the upright position, rest against the edges of the adjacent side walls.

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