JPS624048A - Folding type container - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a collapsible container having a let-type base, in which the upright walls of the container are pivotally connected to the base and can be placed on a pallet for return transport in an empty state. It is designed to be moved to the folded position. This type of container is designed for forklift handling and can be adapted for a wide range of general purpose applications, from the transportation or storage of packaged goods to bulky daily necessities such as agricultural products and the like.

Prior Art Collapsible containers with foldable side walls for return shipping are well known in the prior art and have a wide range of uses. Such containers range in size from relatively large capacity container units for handling on rail and shipboards to relatively small lightweight containers designed for household goods such as farm goods and agricultural products. It is widespread. An example of the latter type of collapsible container made from flexible plastic molded with an integral hinge structure and snap-fitting joints is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3g10 to Saunder 5.
7g. No. 396 and Waller
It is described in the US patent No. 324g Kuta. These containers are patented to be relatively lightweight, small capacity structures designed to carry lightweight, fragile or breakable items, such as loaves of bread or paper boxes containing eggs. There is.

Larger glazed structures for general use, of the type that can be handled (by forklifts), were also constructed from molded rigid plastic materials. This type of container can be characterized as a pallet-based container.

Ardell's US Patent No. 1.0! ;'l/l,!
The r number is. , seven such devices, in which a flexible plastic hinge member connects the side wall to A? It is possible to knock it down onto the let base. Vande Drlnk U.S. Patent No. '12.333'ljr and Te-Chi Hsn
'73001.93 is another example of an injection molded collapsible container that may be used for general purpose applications. The To-Chl Man patent is an example of an injection molded plastic structure in which the hinge attachment between the plastic 41 flannel and the nozzle utilizes a scrap metal hinge pin to accomplish the function. It is. Metal hinge bins are designed to withstand lateral loads and are intended to provide the necessary strength to the structure.

Generally speaking, the problems encountered in prior art efforts to design molded plastic containers for heavy loads, such as those for supporting very heavy loads such as machine parts or heavy metal objects, It has been difficult to provide a Noyarette-type base with foldable walls that have sufficient strength when standing upright. Although it is well known in the art that hinge members can be integrally molded with the side and bottom walls and simply snapped together to form a collapsible container, the resulting container No liability in standing under heavy load use. On the other hand, if metal clips, metal hinge pins or other reinforcing elements are added to a collapsible plastic structure with multiple buttresses, when the container is folded for return transport, the parts It is normal for the information to be separated and lost. Moreover, such designs involving many separate pieces of material are extremely expensive to manufacture and are typically cumbersome and therefore impractical. the ability to maintain a clean container structure;
Other considerations, such as replacing worn parts, have plagued the industry for many years.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a high-load, high-strength, collapsible material which can be formed entirely by plastic injection molding techniques and which is designed to be stacked into a container in either an upright or folded state when stacked. Provide pallet type containers.

The side and end walls of the container are pivotally connected to the /4'let base by integrally molded snap fitting hinges. There are no special parts or other metal parts, so there is no loss of other parts used in combination with the container. The special structural contour arrangement of the engaging side and end walls and the pallet base ensures that no lateral loads are applied to the molded hinge structure and therefore a very high level of loading inside the container is achieved. It is possible. As a result of this new profile arrangement of the side wall and end wall combination, the retention between the end wall and the side wall is increased and the loading inside the container is increased. Vertical longitudinal movement between the end wall and the side wall or offset of the side wall is prevented by this novel connection and interaction between the end wall green and the side wall pass. Similarly, it absorbs lateral impact forces directed against the outer surface of the upright sidewalls,
Special provisions are thereby made to protect the molded hinge elements that connect the end walls and side walls to the pallet base. The rigidity of the bond or retention between the end wall and the side wall is extremely heavy during lifting of the filled container by a device such as a forklift.

During lifting, the end walls and side walls tend to be at an angle;
This results in damage to the hinge.

This slanting is prevented by a novel structure connecting the edges of the end walls and the edges of the side walls.

Provision is made for a slightly domed or upwardly convex pallet surface forming the bottom wall of the container. The loads experienced by the convex base are transferred to the side walls and end walls in a manner that further enhances the engagement between the side walls and end walls. Tips for folding the top side of the base = Tom wall and 9 folds) J? Turns are disclosed and in all cases stacking is possible without endangering the hinged joints between the side and end walls and the bottom wall due to the additional weight of stacking. Furthermore, the container is designed to receive a well-contoured lid structure so that loaded side wall and end wall forces are not transmitted to the lid. Because of the novel profile of the hinge element molded in one piece and the interface between the side and end walls and the base wall of the pallet, it is possible to construct containers with extremely smooth internal surfaces. . This feature is important in the handling of produce and the like, and where cleaning of the interior of the container is desired or necessary. All of these benefits
This is achieved by the present invention while keeping the manufacturing cost of the container competitive. Container size is 1g/~3
The advantage of reduction within the joints of the pair/s is obtained during return transport. This initial return ratio is considered to be extremely important, taking into account the current 7-day loading source.

A preferred embodiment #4B of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows a collapsible container 1 according to the invention.
0, this container has an opposite end wall 12 and an A' frettoce or bottom wall structure 18. The entire structure of the container is most conveniently formed from a material such as high density ethylene using well known injection molding methods. The thickness of the side walls, end walls, and bottom wall structure can vary and is determined by the strength and durability requirements for the particular box or container. It will be appreciated that lip or reinforcement profiles may be provided to the wall material, as is well known in the prior art. However, the inner surfaces of side walls 11, end walls 12, and bottom pallet ridges 18 are preferably smooth and free of obstructions so that they can be easily cleaned.

Seven of the end walls 12 may be provided with hinged doors or darts, as shown in FIG. 1, to facilitate unloading of the container under optional conditions.

This will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 to s. pallet base 1
8 has an integrally molded bottom wall 16 with suitable reinforcing webs. The bottom wall 16 is formed in an upwardly convex curved shape, as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 3.
extending into the base side wall 17 and the base end wall 18;
1. ! : The end wall 12 is pivotally attached to the base side wall 17 and the end wall 18, respectively. As shown most clearly in FIG. 3, the base side walls 17 extend to a higher height and then to the base end walls 18 to allow for folding, as will now be described in detail. ing. As is customary, the pallet base 18 is formed with a support wall around its bottom periphery and has two spaced apart openings 19 on each side, which openings 19 are suitable for use with the pointed ends of a forklift. The pallet is suitable for lifting. In this arrangement, the fork lift can lift the Nog Red from any side for transport.

Each of the base side wall members 17 is provided with a groove z1 extending the length of the inner edge of the wall, this groove 21 providing a shoulder z2. The thorax acts as a load-bearing surface in cooperation with a lip formed on the associated side wall. Similarly, each base end! 18 is
It has a groove 2B, which groove 28 provides an n-section 24 for cooperating with a lip on the end wall carrying KpA for the same purpose.

Side wall 11 is pivotally attached to base side wall 17 along a common pivot axis of multiple sets of hinge structures 26 and 27. Details of these hinge structures are discussed in detail below with respect to FIGS. g and 9. It will be appreciated that multiple sets of these hinge structures 26 and 27 are used along the lower edges of both the side walls 11 and end walls 12. These sets of hinge structures are equal in detail, with the number and placement of hinges depending on the particular container design. Each sidewall 11 includes an equally shaped and vertically extending flange member 28 formed at the edge of its inner surface. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each flange 28 at opposite ends of each of the side walls has grooves z9 of a certain depth spaced vertically along the length of the flange. A connecting web 81 is provided. The inner surface of flange 28 includes a plurality of notches 82 spaced four apart along its length. Web 81 and notch 82
is designed to cooperate with a notch in the end wall and an engaging web when the wall is in the upright position. The bottom inner edge of each side wall 11 includes a lip member 8 extending the length of the wall.
It has 8. Lip 88 cooperates with and interfits with adjacent base side walls 921 and chest 22 to provide a support surface of the basin to absorb forces acting against the inner surface of the wall when the container is unloaded. give. As seen most clearly in FIG.
The bottom surface of the side wall 11 rests vertically on the upper edge of the wall 17 when the side wall is erected.

The end wall 1z is preferably rigid in detail and is connected to the base end wall 18 by a hinge member equal to the hinge member used for the side 11. A lip 88 is also formed on the bottom edge of the can wall 12 and interfaces with the groove 2B and the chest 24 in the manner described in connection with the side wall 11.

As seen in FIG. 3, the vertical side edge of each end wall has a vertically extending flange 84 that extends within the adjacent side wall flange when both the end wall and side wall are upright. It is designed to engage the groove 29 of.

Flange 84 includes a plurality of vertically spaced notches 86 for receiving webs 81 in sidewall flange 28 . Similarly, flange 84 includes a plurality of M 1171 webs, such as web 87 , which engage a notch in sidewall flange 28 . This structural arrangement prevents the end wall from pivoting or being forced past the vertical when raising the end wall against the upright side wall flanges 28. Any force applied to the inner wall surface will of course increase the cohesion between the wall edges. The engagement between the notch on the end wall flange and the web on the side wall flange serves to secure the λ walls together against relative vertical offset. This shifting or shearing of the side walls and end walls typically tends to occur during lifting of a loaded container with a forklift, and can result in a severe mQ of hinges.

Next, the hinge structure will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. The hinge member z6 and the hinge 27 are integrally formed with the side wall panel and the end wall panel, eliminating the need for special metal fittings or removable parts. The hinge structure 26, shown in detail in FIG. to do. Although the detailed contours of the hinge body may vary slightly, each of the side walls of the hinge body overlooks an elongated slot 40 that extends into a U-shaped opening 42 in the associated base side wall or end wall. It engages a boss or cylindrical projection 41 formed on the side wall. It will be appreciated that the slot 40 has an open end on its inside, allowing it to be inserted into the U-shaped opening and laterally engaged with the boss 41. The hinge body 89 preferably matches the contour of the opening 42 so as to substantially close the opening when the sidewall is in place.

The body 89 has a downwardly extending projection 48 that engages the chest 44 at the bottom of the U-shaped opening 42. Therefore, the hinge member 26 provides a pivot or hinge axis around the axis of the boss 41 when the side walls are folded inward. The protrusion 48 and the chest 44 prevent the side walls from pivoting outwardly beyond the vertical and provide security against the hinge in the event of a lateral impact on the outer wall of the container.

FIG. 9 shows a hinge 9? used in combination with the hinge member 26? The second type of . The hinge member 27 is substantially more complex in its construction and is a 'snap hinge'.
h%ngs)" and has the additional function of retaining the fi walls and sidewalls from removal from the Tsukret base. As shown in FIG. 9 at 5, the hinge structure 27 , ([a! or integrally molded with the end wall structure, with its inner surface flush with the inner surface of the wall. The hinge comprises a one-part body comprising body members 4.6 and 47. The body member 48 has a hinge boss 4 positioned within a U-shaped opening 51 in the base 1 in contact with the
9 is provided with an open-ended slot 48 designed to receive one of the following. In this respect, it is similar to one side of the main body 89 of the hinge member 326. The pivot axis provided by boss 49 coincides with @lIg of boss 41 of adjacent hinge structure 26 . The hinge body 46 functions in the manner described above so that the hinge body 89 provides the hinge point 5 and has a projection (see FIG. (not shown). This engagement prevents the m-wall or end wall from being pivoted beyond the vertical position and also provides impact protection for the associated hinges 49. The other body portion 4 has a relatively thin-walled shank 5B which terminates in a cylindrical hub 54 with holes 56 for receiving seven of the gas holes 49. It's finished. Body part 4? The projection 5 also cooperates with the shoulder 52 to limit the pivoting movement of the wall of the container into the vertical position.
It has a f. The shank 58 of the hinge body is somewhat flexible so that the gas 49 engages the hole 56 in the hinge member and snaps the remainder of the hinge into opposing facing death 49. The shaft portion 5B can be deformed to such an extent that this is possible. By engaging the snap tabs 27 with the bosses 49, the associated container wall is held removably attached to the base of the pallet.

To further protect the pivoted side walls against impact loads transverse to their outer surfaces, each hinge set z6.27
Adjacent wall protection aI shown in detail in Figures 3 and 1
It is preferable to include a W structure 58.

The purpose of the wall protection structure 580 is theoretically to prevent such lateral ill loads from damaging the hinge members 26,27. Referring to FIG. 1, the base side wall or end wall has a recess formed therein, the recess providing an upwardly and outwardly directed strut 4 or abutment 59. , engages a stone/461 integrally formed on the associated side or end wall. A groove or slot 6z is formed in the stop portion 61, which receives and acts against the end of the abutment 69 on the base wall. Therefore, the protrusion 4 on the hinge member z6
8, the protrusion 57 on the hinge member 27, the abutting portion 5g, and the stopper member 61 prevent impact loads directed against the outer surface of the wall from being applied to the hinge structure. . Protective lip 8B on side wall 11 and protective lip 8 on end filZ
8 cooperates with the associated shoulders on the base side wall and the end wall respectively to absorb the lateral loads acting on the inner surface of the wall;
Protect the hinges. The engagement between the mating flanges on the mating edges of the end wall and the side wall absorbs the remaining lateral loads applied to the inner surface of the wall when the container is filled, thus placing the load on the hinge member. Helps prevent

Before filling the container, each J wall is fitted with a side wall 1107 on each S raiser adjacent to its upper end to engage a side wall 1107 in order to hold the end wall in an upright position as shown in FIG. Preferably, the slider mounted on the slider has an entire structure 68. The slides are received in suitable openings 64 in the flanges 8 to keep the ends 1 from tipping inwards until the container is filled.

Figure 1O and Figure 1OA are used for this purpose.
The first print shows the details of the entire structure.

As seen in FIG. 10 and FIG. 1OA, a slider 66 is held in place against one wall by an IP 67
This guide 67 engages the slider uphill f68 and allows the slider to move into engagement with the slot 64 in the side wall 7 runno 28. The slider 66 is a suitable recess in the end wall surface.

The hook that engages with the bar is held by full fingers 69 so that the hook is not removed in the position where the bar is removed. Is the hanging metal a suitable slot in the end wall? The latch that engages la is held in the engaged position 11 by all fingers 71. 1st
θ^ As shown in the figure, the hook finger 69 has a flat surface 7B that limits the movement of the slider toward the position where the hook is removed.
Cultivate.

The hook finger 1 may be provided with an inclined cam surface (not shown) which serves to hold the slider in the engaged position (this cam surface may be provided with a cam surface in a known manner). This allows the slider to be pulled out.

As previously mentioned, one or both of the ends 1121 may be provided with a suitable door 14 connected to the end wall by a snap hinge connection 74 equivalent to the snap hinge 27 shown in FIG. good. Of course, the lower edge of the hinged door will engage a suitable shoulder on the fill to absorb the groove loads acting on the door, so as to protect the hinge member in the manner described above. It will be appreciated that it may be advantageous to include a filter f (not shown). The door 14 may be mounted on the end wall and the sliding latch may be hooked to the end wall structure by means of a ferrule 76. These hooks are shown in Figure 1O and Figure 1O.
Although the top structure is not shown, it should be substantially the same in structure and function as the suri@J grate shown in Figure A.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that upstanding end walls and scales provide the container with suitable contours for engaging the upper edges of the walls. Acts on end walls and side walls. Inert loads are absorbed by their novel interconnections, so that the cover structure is unloaded.

Figures 2, .mu. and 3 show how the side walls and end walls can be folded over to obtain a stackably folded container.

This will be explained with reference to FIG. Assuming an empty container, the sliding hook 6B is first urged into the retracted position to release the end wall 1z from the side wall 11.

The end walls are then folded inward so as to rest on the base structure or bottom wall 1G of the lattice (as shown in FIG. 1). End wall 1B has a height greater than half the distance across bottom wall 16 so that the walls overlap as shown in FIG. Since both pieces are pivoted with the same weight, the order in which the end walls are folded is irrelevant. The next step is to bring the inwardly facing surfaces of the flanges 28 on each end of each side wall 5 to rest on top of the base end wall 18 and the side wall 11.
The process is to fold each part inward. In this profile arrangement, no weight or stress is applied to the previously folded and stacked end walls 12. Also, since the base side wall 17 is higher in height, the vertical height of the side ill is as shown in FIG.
It is preferable to design it so that it is half the length of the bottom wall 16 and the length of the base. Therefore, there is no overlap of side walls forming a stable platform for stacking other folded or fully upright containers on top.

In FIGS. 1 and 3, the base end walls 17 and one wall 18 have a multi-wall notch 77 or opening aligned with a reinforcing web on the exterior surface of the side wall 11 to allow nesting. It should be noted that section 78 is included. Furthermore,
The fN edges of the end wall and gauging base wall are fitted as 79 and 91, allowing the paddlelet base to be nested onto the folded sides of other containers. dent 7
9 and 81, folded or upright containers,
Place on top of another upright container to allow pup to overlap.

FIG. 1/FIG. 1 and FIG. 12 show the λ-th physical store embodiment of the present invention,
Side 1 and end walls are hinged to their respective base walls at two different heights to accommodate smaller containers while retaining the ability to stack folded containers with other folded or upright containers. has been done. Figure 1 - 1O
Fruit of the figure! The characteristics of AM's hinge groove structure and hinge protection are used in the structure of the container shown in the 1st and 1st diagrams.
The difference is that the container is folded (Il!I wall and end wall are folded inwards).As seen in Fig. 1/M12, 113 is the first base end wall 114 and the second base J'
It is equipped with Jl16. The end wall 11'7 has a pivot point 11
The end wall 119 is pivoted to the base end wall 114 at a pivot point 121. Axis point 1
18 is positioned above the pivot point 121 and at the thickness of the end wall and web. In this arrangement, the end wall 11
9 can be moved to fl (FIG. 1/) until it lies substantially flat on top of the bottom wall of the z4let. Next, end wall 11? are pivoted inward to rest on top of the end wall 119.

In FIG. 12, base@walls 122 and 128 are 1
Provide pivot points for IllllllZ4 and 126, respectively. A pivot mount 127 to the side wall 126 is positioned at the upper side wall and web thickness of the pivot to the side wall 124, allowing the 1126 to lie flat on and be supported by the top of the side w124. There is. One flange 12 of the side wall 124, as shown in FIG.
9j, base end wall 1 for support along its length.
16 and flange 181 of side wall 126 and 1
82 rests on the outer surface of sidewall 124. Folded [! ]114 and 1s6
Base side walls l! to support stacked containers without applying pressure to! 12 and 128 have corner posts 183 and 184, respectively. For this purpose,
The skin a of the Δlet base is recessed like 186 so as to be nested between the corner struts 18B and 184.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with respect to two samurai embodiments thereof, it is contemplated that modifications may be made to the above-described construction without departing from the spirit of the invention or departing from the scope of the claims. It will be clear to those skilled in the art.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a collapsible container of the present invention, shown in its fully assembled or upright position. Figure 2 shows the order of folding (1 wall and !4 walls) to obtain a folded profile of the container for return transport;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a detailed isometric partial cross-sectional view of the area indicated by the dashed circle in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the folded position of the end wall and side wall of the armlet container. Figure 3 shows Figure 4! -! FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line in the direction of the arrow; Figure 6 is a partial elevation of the outside wall of the container in the upright position, showing the arrangement of the snap hinge elements acting between the container's (llllII wall and the!!l and A!let base walls). Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in Figure 6 in the direction of the arrow, showing the hinges for absorbing inward impact loads for upright containers. The protective structure is shown.The first figure is an exploded partial cross-sectional detailed view showing one form of the snap hinge shown by the dotted circle 8 in FIG.6. Figure 10 is an exploded partial sectional detail view of the second form 1 of the snap hinge, indicated by dotted circle 9. Figure 10 shows that the end walls have been removed to prevent the upright walls from collapsing inward before filling the box. The wall hangings that act between the side wall and the side wall are a detailed elevation view showing the entire structure. Figure 1 OA is a perspective view of all the elements of the sliding hook shown in Figure 10. Figure 1/Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view along the center line of the second embodiment of the collapsible box with the end wall and side wall folded down. FIG. A cross-sectional view in the direction showing the position of the collapsed end 1 and the i-wall.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A base device providing a bottom wall of the container; a base end wall and a base side wall extending upward from the bottom wall and facing each other; a pair pivotally connected to each of the base side walls; a pair of opposing end wall members pivotally connected to each of said base end walls; each of said side wall members extending inwardly from an inner surface thereof along a substantial length thereof; each of said end wall members includes an end flange extending away from an inner surface thereof along a substantial length thereof; said side flanges and said end flanges are engaged; to prevent the end walls and side walls from pivoting outwardly beyond the vertical when a device operative between said engaging flanges to prevent longitudinal movement therebetween when said flanges are engaged; 2. A latching device as claimed in claim 1, including a latching device operative between the mating side flanges and end flanges to prevent the walls from collapsing inwardly before mating. container. 3. said bottom wall comprises an upwardly curved convex device for receiving vertical loads within said container, said convex device serving to transfer vertical loads thereon to said base end walls and base side walls; , a container according to claim 1. 4. the base device having a vertical peripheral support wall extending downwardly from the bottom wall; the support wall providing a multi-level lifting surface for lifting the container upon engagement with the base device; 4. A container according to claim 1, wherein the bottom wall, the base end wall and the base side wall are formed from an integrally molded plastic material. 5. bottom edge portions of said end wall and side wall are arranged to linearly engage upper edge portions of said base end wall and base side wall, respectively, when said wall is in a vertical upright position; a hinge device acting between the end wall and the side wall and between the base end wall and the base side wall, respectively; a lip device on the bottom edge of the end wall and the side wall; a lip device on the base end wall and the base side wall; a shoulder device on the lip; the lip device being in force-bearing engagement with the shoulder device when the container wall is in a vertical upright position, thereby applying force to the inner surface of the container wall; Loading forces are all absorbed by the side flanges, the edge flanges, the lip device and the shoulder device, relieving the hinge device from lateral loading forces acting on the inner surface of the container wall; Claims A container according to paragraph 1 or 3. 6. The side and end walls of the container and the base end and side walls have substantially planar interior surfaces; when the container walls are in a vertical upright position, the planar surfaces of the end and side walls; 6. A container according to claim 5, wherein the hinge device is arranged such that the inner surface of the container is substantially coplanar with the inner surfaces of the base end wall and the base side wall. 7. The base end walls have equal heights, the base side walls have equal heights, the height of the base side walls is greater than the height of the base end walls, and the height of the side walls is equal to the width of the container. one-half or less, whereby the end walls of the container are foldable inwardly into an overlapping arrangement, the side walls of the container are foldable inwardly into abutting relationship, and the flanges of the side walls are foldable inwardly into an overlapping arrangement; 7. The container of claim 6, wherein the container is in force-bearing contact with the upper edge of the base end wall when in the folded position. 8. One of the opposing base end walls is approximately a wall thickness higher than the other base end wall, whereby the end walls of the container are folded inwardly into an overlapping parallel arrangement on the bottom wall. the base side walls are greater in height than the base end walls, one of the opposing base side walls being greater in height than the other by approximately a wall thickness, whereby the side walls of the container are foldable inwardly into an overlapping parallel configuration on folded end walls; load-bearing branch devices extend upwardly from said base side walls and above the level of the folded side walls to provide support for folding over the folded container; Container according to claim 6, which allows for overlapping. 9. The hinge device comprises: a hinge body extending downwardly from the bottom edge of the wall of the container and integrally molded therewith; an engagement recess formed in the associated base wall; the recess includes a coaxial hinge boss integral with a side wall thereof;
an engagement recess; a boss receiving device on the hinge body adapted to provide a pivot axis relative to the container wall; integrally molded with and extending upwardly from the bottom of the recess; a shoulder device; provided at the bottom of the hinge body adapted to contact the shoulder device and limit outward pivoting of the container wall relative to the vertical when engaged with the hinge body; a protrusion; and the pivot axis is positioned such that when the container wall is in a vertical position, the inner surface of the container wall is substantially coplanar with the inner surface of the base wall. A container according to claim 5. 10, said hinge body having: a relatively rigid first hinge element having a slotted opening providing a boss receiving device; having a base therein for surrounding and retaining an adjacent hinge boss; a relatively flexible second hinge element adapted to deform the second hinge element to thereby quickly move the hinge body into position on the hinge boss; 10. A container as claimed in claim 9, comprising: a second hinge element, which is capable of being moved. 11. an abutment member integrally molded with the base wall; a stopper device integrally molded with the container wall and adapted to engage the abutment member when the container wall is in a vertical position; and the abutting member and the stopper device are arranged so as to directly transmit a lateral impact load to the outside of the container wall to the base wall without damaging the hinge device. A container according to claim 10, comprising;