COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER WITH POCKETS

Abstract

A collapsible container having four tension-loop panels covered by flexible material with each panel joined to two other panels to form an enclosure with opposing top and bottom panels and two opposing side panels, the container having two flexible ends each located on opposing ends of the frames and attached to a plurality of the frames, the container comprises an opening in the one of the panels and at least one interior pocket having two opposing sides with each side fastened to a flexible side panel or flexible end, the interior pocket having an open top.

Description

BACKGROUND

Collapsible containers are known having four or more flexible side panels with twist-and-fold frames. The side panels are folded on top of each other and the frames twisted into overlapping coils to form a compact structure for shipping and storage. But folding the frames into overlapping coils creates a stored container that readily springs open. Rubber bands are sometimes used to hold the coiled frames in the collapsed configuration, or the coiled container is fit into a bag that is often sewn to the side of the container as in Pat. No. RE37,924. But the pop-open tendency of such containers remains undesirable. Further, collapsing these containers and twisting them into overlapping coils is difficult for some people. There is thus a need for a way to more readily collapse the containers for shipment and storage.

Because the twist-and-fold containers are made of flexible material when heavier objects are placed in the containers the weight of the object deforms the bottom or sides of the containers, causing adjacent objects to move toward the heaviest object and impact together. There is thus a need to restrain movement of objects placed inside the containers, especially heavier objects.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A collapsible, twist-and-fold container is provided with at least one pocket fastened inside the container to hold items. The container advantageously has four sides, a bottom and a top which may be open or have a closable cover. The pocket is preferably located at a corner where the bottom and two sides intersect, with the pocket fastened to two adjacent sides and optionally fastened to the bottom as well. Preferably a pocket is located at each corner of the container. Further, one or more dividers are provided extending between opposing sides of the container. Releasable fasteners along opposing edges of the dividers are preferably provided. Additionally, a hook-and-loop strip is advantageously placed on the bottom of the container, facing outward, and sized so that the engagement with the fabric material covering the bottom of a car trunk is sufficient to restrain lateral movement and sliding of the container but not so strong as to make it difficult to disengage the container from the trunk bottom.

There is thus provided a collapsible container having two opposing side panels each joined to a top and bottom panel to form a ring. Each of the side, top and bottom panels has a flexible a tension loop frame covered by flexible material. The ring has two opposing ends each covered by an end panel. The ring and end panels form an enclosure with a plurality of interior corners adjacent each of the end panels. At least one interior pocket is formed in one of the corners and adjacent the bottom panel. The interior pocket is fastened to one of the side panels and the end panel adjacent the corner. The pocket has an open top facing toward the top panel and may be optionally fastened to the bottom panel.

In further variations, the collapsible container has an opening in the top panel and wherein there are at least four interior pockets in four interior corners adjacent the bottom panel: Moreover, the container may have a cover over the opening in the top panel with the cover being releasably fastened to the container. The container may also optionally have at least one exterior pocket on the outside of the container, and handles on the side panels or end panels. The container may also have an end pull on each of the end panels to help pull the end panels outward and facilitate collapsing of the container.

There is also provided an improved collapsible container having four tension-loop panels covered by flexible material with each panel joined to two other panels to form an enclosure with opposing top and bottom panels and two opposing side panels. The container has two flexible ends each located on opposing ends of the frames and attached to a plurality of the frames. The improved container has an opening in the one of the panels and at least one interior pocket having two opposing sides with each side fastened to a flexible side panel or flexible end. The interior pocket has an open top.

In further variations this improved container has the interior pocket further fastened to the flexible bottom panel. Moreover, the improved container may have a quadrilateral shape with eight corners and are at least four interior pockets, each interior pocket located at the four corners opposite the opening which is in the top panel. Further, the container may have an end pull on each of the flexible ends, with the end pull located at or adjacent to the middle of the end. Also, the container may have at least one external pocket fastened to the outside of the container. A cover may be placed over the opening with the cover releasably fastened to the container. One or more handles may be fastened to the container, preferably fastened to one or more of the tension loop frames. When the container is placed in the trunk of a vehicle the container may have a hook and loop fastener strip on the outside of the bottom panel. The fastener strip is preferably aligned with a diagonal line extending between two of the corners of the bottom panel. The tension loop frames may be too stiff to be twisted and formed into three overlapping coils. A divider panel can extend between opposing side panels and releasably fastened to at least one of the side panels.

There is also provided a method of folding a collapsible container where the container has a quadrilateral shape with eight interior corners formed by four panels covered by flexible material with each panel each having a tension loop frame. Each panel is also joined to two adjacent side panels to form a ring. Two flexible ends join to opposing ends of the tension loop frames to form an enclosure. Two of the panels form opposing side panels which are separated by and joined to opposing top and bottom panels. The method includes the steps of pulling on a first end pull fastened to one of the ends and extending outward from that end so as to move that end outward. The method also includes moving a corner of a first of the side panel that is adjacent that end pull toward a corner of the bottom panel connected to that first end panel so as to help place the first side panel adjacent the bottom panel.

The method can also optionally include the steps of pulling on a second end pull fastened to the other end and extending outward from that other end so as to move that other end outward. The method can further include moving a corner of the first of the side panel adjacent that second end pull toward a corner of the bottom panel connected to that other end panel to place the first side panel adjacent the bottom panel. The method also includes folding the second side panel toward the first side panel to form a stack of four panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These as well as other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top, front perspective view of a collapsible container with a covered top with the cover closed;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 a front view of the container of FIG. 1, with the opposing rear side being a minor image thereof;

FIG. 4 is right side plan view of the container of FIG. 1, with the opposing end being a minor image thereof;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 with the cover open;

FIG. 7. Is a top plan view of the container of FIG. 6 with the cover open, showing the interior pockets and optional divider;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along section 8-8 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along section 9-9 of FIG. 8, showing a mesh liner in the container;

FIG. 10 is a pictorial perspective view showing the folding together of opposing right corners of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a pictorial perspective view showing the folding together of opposing left corners of the container of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the opposing edges of the container of FIG. 11 folded together to form two sets of overlapping panels;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the four panels stacked of FIG. 12 stacked on top of each other in a folded configuration;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1, with a cover made of a continuous sheet of material;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment having three interior pockets on each end of the container; and

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the container of FIG. 15, taken to one side of the divider showing the interior pockets of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a collapsible container 10 is provided having at four panels 12 connected to opposing ends 14 and 16. An opening 18 is formed in one of the panels 12 or ends 14, 16 to allow access to the inside of the container with a releasable cover or lid 20 covering the opening. A releasable fastener 22 such as a zipper releasably fastens the cover 20 to the top 18. Other releasable fasteners can be used, such as toggles, snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, etc.

Each panel 12 is connected to a tension loop frames 24 (FIG. 9) which holds the side panels 12 taut during use. Typically the loop frames 24 are made of spring metal or made of plastic, and have circular or rectangular cross sections, although various cross-sectional shapes and materials can be used. The loop frames 24 and side panels 12 are preferably, but optionally, generally rectangular in shape, with the long side horizontal. The side panel frames 24 are joined along the long, horizontal side in the orientation shown in FIGS. 1-6. The frames 22 are typically placed in the edging 26 which forms a hollow tube or lumen around the outer portion and preferably around the periphery of the panels 12, with the edging 26 and panels 12 defining the shape of the tension loop frames 22 and panels 12. The edging 26 can be sewn together to connect the panels 12 and adjacent frames 24.

Discontinuous frames 24 can be used in lieu of the continuous loop frame. Such discontinuous frames combine the adjacent frames into a single piece along the adjoining sides of panels 12, with separate ends adjacent end panels 14, 16. Such discontinuous frames are described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,845,507, the complete contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Short panel spacers comprising strips of material fastened to two adjacent sides of panels 12 can also be used to join two adjacent panels 12. Such side panel separators are described in RE37,924, the complete contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The panels 12 and ends 14, 16 (and cover 20) may be made of flexible material such as fabric, Nylon, canvas, plastic etc. The material may be a flexible but solid material that blocks air passage, a woven material that may allow some air passage, or a mesh material with holes allowing ready passage of air. The material may be an insulated, flexible material, preferably having a double wall construction to retain heat or cold within the container 10. The container 10 walls 12 could be lined with PEVA, foam or other thermal insulation that is flexible, or in sufficiently small solid segments to allow flexing of the sides 12.

Referring to FIGS. 6-9, the inside of the container 10 at least one interior pocket 30 is formed and fastened to at least one panel 12 and/or end 14 or 16. The interior pocket 30 may comprise a sheet of flexible material with two opposing sides 32a, 32b with a top 32c and bottom 32d. The sides 32a, 32b may be fastened to the same panel 12 or to the same end 14 or 16, but the depicted interior pockets 30 are preferably located in each of the four corners of the container 10, located adjacent the panel 12 forming the bottom of the container and which is opposite the panel containing the opening 18. The depicted interior pockets 30 have one side 32a fastened to a flexible panel 12 and other side 32b fastened to end 14 or 16 so the interior pocket 30 is defined in part by a side panel 12, one end panel 14 or 16, and the panel 12 forming the bottom of the container 10. The bottom of the pockets may be fastened to the panel 12 forming the bottom of the container 10, but advantageously are not fastened and instead end close to that bottom panel so large items do not slip out of the pocket readily but a person can insert their fingers into the bottom and urge things out the top of the pocket. The top of the interior pocket 30 is preferably open so items can be inserted through the opening 18 directly into the interior pocket 30. The interior pockets 30 thus preferably have an open top facing the opening 18 and a bottom adjacent to but not fastened to the adjacent bottom panel 12. The interior pockets 30 may be sized to hold items of predetermine size and shape, such as a bottle of wine. An elastic member may optionally be fastened to the top side 32c of the pocket. FIG. 7 shows four pockets 30, one in each corner. But the number and locations of pockets 30 can vary, with FIGS. 15-16 showing three pockets 30 in each end 14 and 16. The pockets may also be fastened only to the side panels 12, or combinations of side panels and ends.

The interior pockets 30 may be permanently fastened to the panel 12 or ends 14, 16 by various means, including, but not limited to sewing, adhesives and rivets. Removable fastening mechanisms can also be used, including, but not limited to hook and loop fasteners, snaps and buttons. The interior pockets 30 may be made of the same material as panels 12, or of different material. Mesh interior pockets 30 are preferred.

Referring to FIGS. 7-8, one or more dividers 36 which may be affixed to opposing side panels 12, or which may be releasably fastened to the side panels similar to the connection of interior pockets 30 to the container 10. The bottom of the dividers 36 may be fastened to the panel 12 forming the bottom of the container 10 and opposite the opening 18, or the dividers may end adjacent to that bottom panel but not be fastened to it. If the dividers 36 are permanently fastened to the opposing sides of the container 10 then they are preferably flexible and will restrain folding of the panels 12 or distort the frames 26 when the panels are stacked. If the dividers 36 are permanently fastened only to one of the panels 12 and releasably fastened to the opposing or adjacent panel 12, then the divider may be flexible or stiff. The dividers 36 preferably extend across the entire width of the side panel 12 to which each side is attached, but may extend only part of the way.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, one or more exterior pockets 38 may be fastened to the outside or exterior of the side panels 12 or ends 14, 16. The exterior pockets 38 have an open top 39, allowing items to be inserted into the pockets. The opening 39 is preferably located adjacent the top panel 12 containing opening 18 as shown in FIG. 1. The pockets 38 preferably have two opposing sides and a bottom fastened to the panel 12 (or end 14, 16) to form a four sided pocket 38, but differently shaped exterior pockets could be provided. A mesh material is shown on each of the three exterior pockets 38 in FIGS. 1-6 and on the interior pockets 30 in FIGS. 7-9, but other material can be used, and different numbers and locations of exterior pockets can be used.

Referring to FIG. 5, the outward facing side of the panel 12 forming the bottom of the container 10 may have a releasable engaging member 40 on it. The releasable engaging member 40 preferably comprises the hook portion of a hook and loop fastener. The releasable engaging member 40 is preferably oriented diagonally toward opposing corners of the container 10, and may be continuous or intermittent. If continuous, the releasable engaging member 40 preferably passes through the approximate center of the panel 12 forming the bottom of the container. The member 40 is sized so that it engages the nap of fabric or rug commonly found on the bottoms of car trunks in order to keep the container 10 from sliding around when empty or with items in the container. The releasable engaging member 40 is small enough so that a person can lift the container 10 and disengage the member 40 from the trunk material. If the area of the member 40 is too large that is hard to do. A removal force of about 3-20 pounds is preferred, with 5-10 pounds preferred. The diagonal orientation of the engaging member 40 allows a single strip to be used to restrain motion in two orthogonal directions in the plane of the (normally flat) trunk, while minimizing the material used. Alternatively, the releasable engaging member 40 could be placed along a portion of each side of the panel 12 on which the container 10 rests during use, or placed along opposing sides, or placed along only one side.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, handles 42 may be fastened to one or more of the sides 12 or ends 14, 16. Various types of handles 42 may be used, but the handles 42 are preferably made of flexible material, such as Nylon. The handles 42 are attached at one, and preferably two ends of the flexible strip of material forming the flexible handle. The ends of each handle 42 are preferably attached to the same panel 12 or end, 14, 16. The handles 42 may encircle at least one frame 24 and preferably encircle two adjacent frames 24 through openings formed in the respective edging 26. This is described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,977,338, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/178,501, filed Jul. 23, 2008 and published as US2010/0018968, the complete contents of which are both incorporated by reference. The handles 42 may also be fastened to the material forming the side panels 12 or ends 14, 16. Sewing, adhesives, rivets or other fastening mechanisms may be used to attach or affix the handles. The handles 42 are preferably located adjacent the top of the container 12, by the opening 18. The handles 42 on opposing sides or ends of the container may be connected by a strap 46 having a releasable connector 48. The releasable connector 48 can include a carbineer, spring clip or snap clip, among other releasable connectors which encircle one of the handles 42 or one or more frames 24 adjacent the connection of the handles 42 to the container 10.

An optional end pull 44 is fastened to one end 14, 16, and preferably an end pull 44 is provided on each opposing end. The end pulls 44 are located between the handle 42 and panel 12 forming the bottom of the container 10. Advantageously the end pulls 44 are located at or adjacent to the middle of each end 14, 16. The end pulls 44 can comprise a tab with one end sewn to the end 14 or 16 and a free distal end. The end pulls preferably comprise a loop of material with one end fastened to the end 14, 16 and the loop large enough to pass at least one finger through to pull on the loop. The end pull 44 can take various forms, including toggles, loops, straps, handles and buttons. The end pull 44 should be large enough to be manually grasped by hand and pulled, causing the end 14, 16 to which the end pull 44 is fastened or connected, to extend outward, as described below.

Referring to FIGS. 10-13, the folding sequence for the container 10 is described, with the side panels 12 being referred to as the front, back, top and bottom panel as shown in the relative orientation of FIGS. 1 and 6. When the containers 10 are made, they often end up on the expanded configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. To collapse the container 10 for shipment or storage, the panels 12 are folded on top of each other to form a stack of panels 12. Any divider 36 extending between opposing panels 12 impedes folding the panels 12 on top of each other. Thus, any divider 36 should be preferably disconnected or unfastened from one opposing side wall 12. The divider 36 can be left connected to one panel 12 as long as the divider 36 is placed adjacent to the panel to which it is left fastened, or if the panel is stiff, it may be folded adjacent to the panel 12 to which it is fastened so as not to not interfere with folding the panels into a stack of four panels. If the divider 36 is left connected it will deform the frames 26 abutting the top of the divider.

When the material on the panels 12 is thick or stiff, it is difficult to fold the panels 12 adjacent to each other and the material forming the ends 12, 14 gets in the way and impedes folding the panels 12 on top of each other. By pulling outward on the end pulls 44 the ends 14, 16 do not impede the folding of panels 12 on top of each other. Thus, the end pulls 14 are pulled outward to make it easier to fold the front panel 12 inward against the bottom panel as seen in FIGS. 10-11. This may be done by pulling one end pull 44 with one hand while positioning the adjacent corner of front panel 12 at the same time. As the front panel 12 is folded against the bottom panel the top panel is folded against the back panel 12 since the front and top panels are joined along an edge. Alternatively described, the front, top edge of the container 10 is placed against the inside, back edge of the container, with the ends 14, 16 moved out of the way by use of the end pulls 44. The result is two adjacent stacks of two panels, although the stacks are often inclined relative to each rather than being flat as shown in FIG. 12. The ends 14, 16 can be moved between the two sets of folded panels before they are folded to form a stack of four panels as shown in FIG. 13, or the ends 14, 16 may be folded around one side or the other of the four stacked panels. The strap(s) 42 may also be positioned between the panels 12 as they are folded to allow the stacked panels 12 to hold the handles 42 and ends 12, 14 generally within or on the stacked panels.

The stack of four side panels 12 may then be twisted into overlapping coils is the material on the panels 12 and divider(s) 36 allows. Alternatively, the panels may be left flat and shipped in that flat, stacked configuration. Since the flat, stacked configuration has no coiled frame 24 resiliently urging the panel 12 into an expanded configuration, the stacked assembly is stable and does not tend to spring open. The stack may be placed in packaging for sales, typically consisting of clear plastic wrap with cardboard inserts bearing promotional material. To unpack the stacked panels 12, the panels are pulled apart manually in the reverse order in which they were stacked. The end pulls 44 may be pulled apart to help separate the stacked panels 12. After the container 10 is in its pop-open configuration, the divider(s) 36 may be fastened to opposing panels 12. Since the stack of four panels 12 can be shipped flat, the spring frame 24 need not be sufficiently flexible to be twisted into overlapping coils. That allows thicker, sturdier materials to be used for the container 10, and allows use of elongated frames made of metal or plastic wire or tubes which are not flexible enough to be coiled into even two overlapping loops, let alone coiled into the three overlapping loops typical of such twist-and-fold containers.

During use, the interior pockets 30 retain heavier items at the corners of the container 10, where the spring loop frames 24 and adjoining panels 12 and ends 14, 16 provide more support. Indeed, the interior pockets 30 fasten to at least two adjacent walls, such as panel 12 and either end 14, 16. Moreover, the interior pockets 30 are located so that they extend over or close to the frame 24 in the bottom panel 12, so the frame can further support the weight of an item placed in the interior pocket 30 either directly, or by transfer of the weight through the flexible material of the adjacent panel(s) 12 or ends 14, 16. As the interior pockets 30 are preferably configured to hold bottles, fragile items are further isolated from being hit on all sides as would occur if placed in the middle of the flexible bottomed container 10.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 14, the pockets 30, 38 can be made of mesh material or a continuous sheet of solid, but flexible material. Likewise, as shown in FIG. 8, the interior of the container 10 and of each panel 12 may be covered by a continuous sheet of solid, but flexible material, preferably of waterproof material, and more preferably of waterproof and insulated material. But the interior of the container 10 could have a mesh lining 56 as shown in FIG. 9. If desired the cover 20 can be made of a continuous sheet of generally impervious and preferably water proof material as reflected in FIG. 14. Alternatively, as reflected in part by FIG. 1, the cover 20 could be entirely of a mesh material allowing air to pass readily and to allow easy viewing of the interior of the container 10. Additionally, the cover 20 could be of two layers, having a mesh covering to allow air passage and viewing, and also having a continuous sheet of solid but flexible material to restrict air passage and block viewing, thus allowing the user to use either covering by folding the continuous sheet of material inside or outside the container 10.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

The above description is given by way of example and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention, including various ways of fastening the pockets 30, 38 and divider 36 to the container 10. Furthermore, the various features of this invention can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the invention is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments but is to be defined by the following claims when read in the broadest reasonable manner to preserve the validity of the claims

Claims

1. A collapsible container having four tension-loop panels covered by flexible material with each panel joined to two other panels to form an enclosure with opposing top and bottom panels and two opposing side panels, the container having two flexible ends each located on opposing ends of the frames and attached to a plurality of the frames, the container comprising: an opening in the one of the panels;at least one interior pocket having two opposing sides with each side fastened to a flexible side panel or flexible end, the interior pocket having an open top.

2. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the interior pocket is also fastened to the flexible bottom panel.

3. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the container has a quadrilateral shape with eight corners and there are at least four interior pockets, located at the four corners opposite the opening which is in the top panel.

4. The collapsible container of claim 1, further comprising an end pull on each of the flexible ends, the end pull located at or adjacent to the middle of the end.

5. The collapsible container of claim 1, further comprising at least one external pocket fastened to the outside of the container.

6. The collapsible container of claim 3, further comprising a cover over the opening releasably fastened to the container.

7. The collapsible container of claim 3, further comprising a handle fastened to the frame of the container.

8. The collapsible container of claim 3, further comprising a handle fastened to cover over the opening releasably fastened to the container.

9. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the container has a quadrilateral shape with eight corners and there are at least four interior pockets, located at the four corners opposite the opening, and wherein there is an end pull on each of the flexible ends.

10. The collapsible container of claim 9, further comprising a handle fastened to the frame of the container, and a hook and loop fastener strip on the outside of the bottom panel.

11. The collapsible container of claim 3, further comprising a hook and loop fastener strip on the outside of the bottom panel, the strip aligned with a diagonal line extending between two diagonally opposing corners of the bottom panel.

12. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the tension loop frames cannot be twisted and formed into three overlapping coils.

13. The collapsible container of claim 1, further comprising a divider panel extending between opposing side panels and releasably fastened to at least one of the side panels.

14. A method of folding a collapsible container having a quadrilateral shape with eight interior corners and formed by four panels covered by flexible material each having a tension loop frame with each panel joined to two adjacent side panels to form a ring and having two flexible ends joined to opposing ends of the tension loop frames, two of the panels forming opposing side panels each separated by and joined to opposing top and bottom panels, the method comprising: pulling on a first end pull fastened to one of the ends and extending outward from that end so as to move that end outward; andmoving a corner of a first of the side panel that is adjacent that first end pull toward a corner of the bottom panel connected to that first end panel to help place the first side panel adjacent the bottom panel.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: pulling on a second end pull fastened to the other end and extending outward from that other end so as to move that other end outward; andmoving a corner on the first of the side panels adjacent that end pull toward a corner of the bottom panel connected to that other end panel to place the first side panel adjacent the bottom panel.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: folding the second side panel toward the first side panel to form a stack of four panels.

17. A collapsible container comprising: two opposing side panels each joined to a top and bottom panel to form a ring, each of the side, top and bottom panels having a flexible a tension loop frame covered by flexible material, the ring having two opposing ends each covered by a flexible end panel, the ring and end panels forming an enclosure with a plurality of interior corners adjacent the end panels, andat least one interior pocket fastened to one of the flexible side panels or flexible end panels.

18. The collapsible container of claim 17, further comprising a plurality of interior pockets each in one of the corners and adjacent the bottom panel, the interior corner pockets being fastened to one of the side panels and the end panel adjacent the corner, at least some of the pockets having an open top facing toward the top panel

19. The collapsible container of claim 18, further comprising; An opening in the top panel with a cover over that opening releasably fastened to the container, and at least one exterior pocket on the outside of the container.

20. The collapsible container of claim 18, further comprising and end pull on each of the end panels.