Abstract:
A reinforced storage container assembly, formed by connecting plural storage containers end-to-end, includes a first storage container, a second storage container, a connector, and at least one reinforcement structure. The storage containers each have an open end formed by removal of an end wall, and are oriented with the open ends facing toward one another, and attached at the open ends by a connector. Each reinforcement structure includes an inner reinforcement panel, used singularly, and an outer reinforcing member used in combination with a stiffening member, modified stiffening member or reinforcing channel. Each reinforcement structure reinforces at least one corresponding side wall or the floor of the storage container assembly. Each reinforcement structure and attaching hardware are sufficiently recessed into a storage container side wall or floor to allow the storage container assembly to be collapsibly folded without interference between any of the side walls, floor, reinforcement structures, or hardware.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) based on U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/705,852, filed Aug. 5, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to storage containers, and particularly to composite storage containers made using reinforcement structures, designed for adding strength and rigidity thereto. More particularly, the present invention relates to a relatively large, foldable reinforced storage container assembly formed by connecting two or more foldable storage containers in an end-to-end relationship, to connecting hardware for use in making such a composite storage container, and to methods of making such a composite storage container. The inventive composite storage container is made using specialized reinforcement structures adapted to reinforce and strengthen side walls of the large storage container assembly, for reliable use over a relatively long period.  
         [0004]     2. Background Art  
         [0005]     Storage containers, including reusable containers, are widely used in industrial settings. In particular, reusable industrial storage containers are commonly used in shipping parts for use on an assembly line or the like, in warehousing inventory, etc. A commonly used type of large, reusable plastic storage containers, which are foldably collapsible to approximately ⅓ of its normal size when not in use, are commercially available from the Ropak Corporation, and are described for example in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,923,079 and 6,145,682, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The collapsible nature of the storage containers is extremely desirable for reducing the space required to store and transport the containers when empty.  
         [0006]     Many other types of storage containers are commercially available, including metal containers.  
         [0007]     Further, there are situations where a particular, mass produced storage container does not have adequate capacity for a specific application thereof, and a user may wish to combine-connect two or more standard size storage containers together to form a larger capacity storage container assembly to meet a specific size requirement. Methods and apparatus previously proposed by applicant for connecting storage containers together, such as the reusable, collapsible Ropak containers, are discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,145,682 and 6,210,069, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0008]     For connecting the containers in the manners as previously proposed, an end wall of each container is removed, and then the open ends are joined together with appropriate fastening hardware such that the resulting large container has a single open space therein. Once connected, the side walls of the larger-capacity container assembly span typically twice the distance of the original side wall of a single container. As such, they may lack sufficient stiffness and strength to resist bowing outwardly when the container is filled with storage contents, particularly heavy and bulky materials, to be reliably folded and unfolded, etc., and therefore, these relatively unstable walls may hinder the purpose of creating larger capacity storage containers.  
         [0009]     The applicant has previously implemented reinforcement measures, to strengthen a foldable storage container formed by connecting end-to-end two storage containers, which mainly included stiffening rails and brace members installed on side walls, and reinforcing braces installed on portions of inside corners of the container.  
         [0010]      FIG. 1A  of the present drawings represents one embodiment of a reinforced composite storage container assembly  10  according to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,682, commonly owned by the present applicant. The container assembly  10  of  FIG. 1A  is formed by connecting a first storage container  7  to a second storage container  9 , with the containers arranged in an aligned end-to-end relationship. The container assembly  10  of  FIG. 1A  includes a pair of inverted channel-shaped reinforcing members  22 ,  24  disposed along the upper edges of the long side walls, and spanning between the upper edges of the joined containers to provide strength and rigidity to the assembled side wall. The container assembly  10  of  FIG. 1A  also includes an open end structure  19 , in order to make an interior end portion thereof more accessible, to allow a user to remove individual parts more easily therefrom, as needed. The container assembly  10  also includes internal reinforcing braces  26 ,  28 , formed of angle iron or the like, which are optionally used to reinforce the storage container  10  at the interior side corner sections of the open end structure  19 .  
         [0011]     Another embodiment of the applicant&#39;s previously reinforced storage container assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,069, is shown in  FIGS. 1B-1D  of the present drawings. In  FIG. 1B , each of a pair of containers  42  has an end wall  17  thereof removed. In  FIG. 1C , the containers  42 ,  42  are shown inverted for purposes of ease in assembly. The open ends of the two containers  42 ,  42  are disposed facing each other, and the bottoms of the containers  42 ,  42  are connected together using connecting blocks  100  and bolts  45 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1B-1D , the blocks fit partially into recesses  15  formed into one container and partially into corresponding recesses formed the other container, and have ends thereof secured with nuts (not shown). In  FIG. 1D , exterior surfaces of the respective side walls  60 ,  62  of the joined containers  42 ,  42  have recesses  64 ,  66  formed therein with a router or the like, and then a reinforcing bar  56  is fitted in each pair of the recesses  64 ,  66  and secured to the container side walls with bolts or the like, as is discussed more fully in U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,069.  
         [0012]     Although applicant&#39;s previously proposed, reinforced, combined container assemblies discussed above and in greater detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,145,682 and 6,210,069 function appropriately for their intended purposes, a need still exists in the art for improved reinforcement of the combined storage containers, especially as the overall size thereof increases. For example, applicant has determined that over an extended period of use, the lengthy side walls of the combined container assembly may become warped or damaged, particularly when the empty container is being collapsed/folded even with the known reinforcing structures. Factory workers tend to quickly fold the side walls of an empty container by simply kicking the side walls flat, after connecting pins at opposite ends thereof have been retracted.  
         [0013]     Although the known reinforcing structures have relatively high strength and rigidity, these structures my become warped or displaced by such rough handling over time, especially along the joined interfaces of the connected containers, where stress tends to be concentrated. Further, in storage containers having a side wall height of more than 36 inches, the problem tends to be greater.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     The present invention has been developed to fulfill the discussed need, and to correspondingly overcome limitations of the known structures. In a first embodiment thereof, the present invention provides a reinforced storage container assembly formed by connecting two or more storage containers end-to-end, where the assembly includes a first storage container, a second storage container, connecting hardware for connecting the two containers, and at least one reinforcement structure.  
         [0015]     The reinforcement structures used for reinforcing both collapsibly foldable and non-collapsible storage containers include inner and outer reinforcing members, stiffening rails, modified stiffening rails and reinforcing channels. A first illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a reinforced composite storage container assembly having outer reinforcing members disposed on outer portions of side walls thereof, and used in combination with at least one stiffening member, modified stiffening member or reinforcing brace for reinforcing the side walls of the storage container.  
         [0016]     The outer reinforcing members may be T-shaped in cross section, and may be made of metal, such as steel plate. In the first embodiment, the outer reinforcing member includes a V-shaped stem formed of angle iron having a first end portion and a second end portion, and a flat plate attached by means of welding to the first end portion of the stem such that a triangular cross section is formed at the first end portion, where the flat plate is attached to the V-shaped stem. In the depicted embodiment, the flat plates are rectangular in shape. The flat plate includes a plurality of attachment holes formed therethrough for attaching the outer reinforcing member to the side wall of a storage container having corresponding holes formed therethrough.  
         [0017]     As described earlier, a reinforced storage container assembly is formed by connecting two or more storage containers end-to-end, with intermediate walls thereof removed. Such connection of two storage containers into a large storage container may form a V-shaped groove between abutted side walls, on outer portions of the side walls. In order to create a reinforced storage container assembly, the V-shaped stem of the outer reinforcing member is disposed in the V-shaped groove formed between abutted walls of the storage container. A second end portion of the V-shaped stem of the outer reinforcing member is secured on the upper portion of the side wall of the container, using at least one stiffening member, modified stiffening member or reinforcing channel. The first end portion of the V-shaped stem, having the flat plate attached thereto, where the flat plate has a plurality of attachment holes formed therein, is secured on the lower portion of the side wall of the storage container using suitable fasteners, which may be a plurality of nuts and bolts.  
         [0018]     The provided reinforced storage container assembly can either be collapsibly foldable or may be formed from non-collapsible storage containers. In collapsibly foldable reinforced storage containers having a folding line, the outer reinforcing members are installed on the outer portion of the side walls above the folding line. In non-collapsible reinforced storage containers, the outer reinforcing members may be installed at any level.  
         [0019]     In one aspect of the invention, a reinforced storage container assembly formed by connecting two storage containers end-to-end, with intermediate walls thereof removed, includes the outer reinforcing members used in combination with the stiffening rails. The outer reinforcing members are disposed along the height on outer portions of abutted side walls, with a second end portion of the stem attached to very top edge of the side walls and the first end portion having the flat plate attached to the container above the folding line of the side walls. The stiffening member is attached to abutted side walls for reinforcing and interconnecting the storage containers together. The stiffening member, being substantially U-shaped in cross section, is adapted to securely receive the upper edge portions of the side walls, and the second end portion of the stem of the outer reinforcing member therein.  
         [0020]     In another aspect of the invention, the reinforced storage container assembly includes outer reinforcing members used in combination with modified substantially U-shaped stiffening rails. The modified stiffening member includes elongated elements for receiving the second end portion of the stem of outer reinforcing member which is not extended up to very top edge of the side wall. In other words, the second end portion of the stem may placed below the very top edge of the side wall and, such placement of the second end portion is received by the elongated elements of the modified stiffening rails. Alternatively, the second end portion may be extended up to the very top edge of side wall. The attachment of the outer reinforcing member to the modified stiffening member generally includes disposing a portion of the second end portion of the stem between the elongated element of the modified member and the side wall.  
         [0021]     In yet another aspect of the invention, the reinforced storage container assembly includes an outer reinforcing members used in combination with reinforcing channels mounted along substantial length portions of side walls. The reinforcing channel includes a longitudinal channel that may be made of metal. The reinforcing channel is designed for reinforcing side walls and also for securing the second end portion of the stem of outer reinforcing member therein. The second end portion of the stem is not required to be extended up to very top edge of the side wall of the storage container. Alternatively, as the second end portion is placed beneath the reinforcing channel thereby allowing the second portion of the stem to be extended up to very top edge of the side wall.  
         [0022]     In another aspect of the invention, a reinforced storage container assembly includes inner reinforcement panels mounted on portions of container floor and inside side walls, and outer reinforcing members mounted on outer portions of side walls. The outer reinforcing members are used in combination with at least on of the stiffening member, modified stiffening member, and the reinforcing channel. Alternatively, the reinforced storage container assembly may only include inner reinforcement panels.  
         [0023]     The inner reinforcement panels may have a generally L-shaped cross section, and may also be made of metal. Each inner reinforcement panel includes a vertical portion, a horizontal portion attached to the vertical portion at one end, and a plurality of attachment holes formed therethrough the vertical portion for fastening the inner reinforcement panel to the side walls of the storage container. The inner reinforcement panels are designed to receive portions of container floor and inner side walls. The inner reinforcement panel is disposed on inside of collapsibly foldable storage container at a seam between two containers at the very bottom of side wall below a folding line. Generally, one inner reinforcement panel is used for each junction of side walls at the seam between two containers. Also, the inner reinforcement panel may be used at a seam between two non-collapsible storage containers. Additionally, inner reinforcement panels may be used for reinforcing side walls or end walls of a storage container.  
         [0024]     The present invention provides a reinforced storage container assembly formed by connecting two or more storage containers end-to-end with one or more reinforcing structures which are durable and easy to install.  
         [0025]     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the reader is referred to the following detailed description section, which should be read in accordance with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following description, like numbers refer to like parts. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0026]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a composite prior art reinforced collapsibly foldable storage container, formed by connecting two storage containers together, including stiffening rails installed on top of the side walls thereof, and reinforcing members installed on inside corners of the container.  
         [0027]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of a foldable prior art storage crate, showing a side wall of the storage crate being removed.  
         [0028]      FIG. 1C  is a cutaway perspective view of two inverted prior art storage crates being interconnected using specialized connecting blocks; and  
         [0029]      FIG. 1D  is a perspective view of a foldable prior art storage crate assembly.  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a reinforced foldable storage container assembly according to a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is another view an outer reinforcing member and a stiffening member disposed on a side wall of the container of  FIG. 2 , to form a reinforced storage container.  
         [0032]      FIG. 4A  is a front plan view of an outer reinforcing member, used in constructing the composite storage container of  FIGS. 2-3 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 4B  is a top plan view of the outer reinforcing member of  FIG. 4A .  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is an end plan view of a stiffening rail used to reinforce upper side wall edges of the storage container assembly of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a reinforced foldable storage container assembly according to a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the reinforced storage container assembly of  FIG. 6 , showing an outer reinforcing member used in combination with modified stiffening rails.  
         [0037]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a reinforced foldable storage container assembly according to a third illustrative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0038]      FIG. 9  is sectional view of the reinforced storage container assembly of  FIG. 8 , showing an outer reinforcing member used in combination with reinforcing channels.  
         [0039]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a reinforced foldable storage container assembly according to a fourth illustrative embodiment of the present invention, in which outer reinforcing members are used in combination with reinforcing channels and inner reinforcement panels.  
         [0040]      FIG. 11  is a side plan view an of inner reinforcement panel used in constructing the container assembly of  FIG. 10 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a rectangular stabilizing washer according to the present invention; and  
         [0042]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of portions of two interconnected storage containers, showing two of the stabilizing washers of  FIG. 12  in use. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0043]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-3  of the drawings, a reinforced collapsible storage container assembly, in accordance with a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention, is shown generally at  100 . The reinforced container assembly  100  in the depicted embodiment is a modified and improved version of a collapsible plastic storage container originally sold by the ROPAK Corporation of Fullerton, Calif. as a ROPAK brand foldable crate, and is made up of two storage containers joined end-to-end with the intermediate walls thereof removed, for a larger capacity container. Further information about these commercially available products can be found at the web site http://www.linpacmh.com/products.html.  
         [0044]     The reinforced storage container assembly  100 , formed by connecting two or more storage containers end-to-end, includes a first storage container  102 , a second storage container  104 , a connector, and one or more reinforcement structures, to be described in further detail herein.  
         [0045]     The reinforced storage container assembly  100  includes a floor  116 , a first end wall  118  pivotally attached to the floor  116  via a first hinge pivot pin (not shown), forming a folding line  119  for the first end wall  118 , and disposed at a first height above the floor  116 . The reinforced storage container assembly  100  also includes a second end wall  117  pivotally attached to the floor  116  opposite the first end wall  118 . The second end wall  117  is pivotally foldable into the container  100 , as shown by the two-headed arrow in  FIG. 2 , to lie flush against the floor  116  when in a closed configuration thereof.  
         [0046]     The reinforced container also includes a first side wall  112  pivotally attached to the floor  116  via a second hinge pivot pin (not shown) and disposed at a second height above the floor  116 , where the second height is above the first height of the first hinge pivot pin. The connection between the first side wall  112  and the floor  116  forms a folding line, adjacent the second hinge pivot pin, to allow the side wall  112  to fold down on top of the already collapsed end walls  117 ,  118 . The reinforced container  100  further includes a second side wall  114 , pivotally attached to the floor  116  opposite the first side wall  112 . The second side wall  114  is joined to the floor  116  via a third hinge pivot pin (not shown) forming a folding line  115  which is disposed at substantially the same height as the second pivot pin.  
         [0047]     As discussed earlier, a reinforced collapsibly foldable storage container assembly  100  is generally made up of two storage containers  102 ,  104  joined end-to-end, with the intermediate walls thereof removed, to define a larger capacity container. When using these commercially available ROPAK brand containers, the end-to-end joining of two containers  102 ,  104  forms an inwardly extending V-shaped groove  122  facing outwardly at the seam between the containers  102 ,  104 , located substantially in the middle of the assembly, along the height of the container on an outside portion of the side walls  112 ,  114  thereof.  
         [0048]     The reinforced storage container assembly  100 , in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, also includes a pair of outer reinforcing members  124 ,  126  ( FIGS. 3 and 7 ), with a portion of each the reinforcing members, respectively, disposed in the V-shaped grooves  122  on respective outer surfaces of the opposite side walls  112 ,  114 . The reinforcing members  124 ,  126  are installed in combination with stiffening rails  128 ,  130  installed on the top portions of the side walls, respectively, as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0049]     The outer reinforcing members  124 ,  126  shown generally in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , and more specifically in  FIGS. 4A-4B , have a generally inverted T-shape, and may be made of metal, such as iron or steel plate. Each outer reinforcing member  124 ,  126  includes a stem portion  132  and an anchor plate  134  welded to, or otherwise rigidly affixed to the stem portion. As seen best in  FIG. 4A , the stem portion  132  in the depicted embodiment has a V-shaped cross-section. The stem portion  132  may be formed of angle iron, and has a first end  136  and a second end  138 . The anchor plate  134  is attached across the first end  136  of the V-shaped stem portion  132 , such as by welding, forming a triangular cross section, as shown in  FIG. 4B . The flat anchor plate  134 , which may be formed in a rectangular shape and may be made of metal, has a plurality of attachment holes  140  formed therethrough for receiving fasteners, such as nuts and bolts, to permit fastening of the reinforcing member to a corresponding side wall.  
         [0050]     The cross-sectionally V-shaped stem portion  132  of the outer reinforcing member  124   126  is disposed outside of the corresponding side wall  112 ,  114  in the V-shaped groove  122  which, as previously noted, is formed on an outside portion of the wall when the two storage containers are joined together. The free second end  138  of the V-shaped stem portion  132  is arranged close to the top edge of the corresponding side wall  112 ,  114 , and the tip of the second end  138  is covered by a central area of a corresponding stiffening member  128  or  130 , as shown.  
         [0051]     Each outer reinforcing member  124 ,  126  is attached to its corresponding side wall  112 ,  114  above the folding line  113 ,  115  of the side wall, using fasteners such as nuts and bolts, which extend through holes (not shown) drilled in the side wall, and also through the holes  140  formed in the anchor plate.  
         [0052]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , it will be seen that the stiffening rails  128 ,  130 , in the first embodiment of the invention, have a generally inverted U-shape when viewed in cross-section, with opposed vertical walls  102 ,  104  of the stiffening rail having approximately the same height dimension as, or being incrementally longer than, the width of the top connecting web portion  106  thereof, as shown.  
         [0053]     Optionally, the reinforced storage container assembly  100  may include reinforcing braces  125 ,  127  ( FIG. 10 ) installed on inside portion of the corners of storage container, for providing additional reinforcement to the container. These reinforcing braces  125 ,  127  are similar in construction to the stem portion  132  of the reinforcing member  124 .  
         [0054]     The outer reinforcing members  124 ,  126  are particularly advantageous for reinforcing tall storage containers, e.g., containers having a height of 36 inches and above. It may be noted that the storage containers come in various sizes. The outer reinforcing member  124 ,  126  can be made in various lengths, as needed, according to the height and length of the containers needing reinforcement. The reinforcing of the side walls  112 ,  114  using outer reinforcing members  124 ,  126  to add strength and rigidity to the side walls  112 ,  114  is very important, particularly when the side walls  112 ,  114  are foldably collapsed (when container is empty) for returning the empty containers  100 .  
         [0055]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6-7 , a reinforced collapsible storage container assembly  150  in accordance with the second illustrative embodiment of the present invention is shown. The storage container assembly  150  of  FIGS. 6-7  is similar to the storage container assembly  100  according to the first embodiment, as described herein, except that the stiffening rails  158 ,  160  in this embodiment have side sections  162 ,  164  which extend downwardly to a significantly greater extent than the side sections of the stiffening rails  128 ,  130  according to the first embodiment. The side sections  162 ,  164  of the stiffening rails  158 ,  160  may be taller than the width of the connecting portion  165  at the top of the stiffening member. In one embodiment, the side sections  162 ,  164  of the stiffening rails  158 ,  160  may be approximately twice as tall as the width of the connecting portion  165  at the top of the stiffening member.  
         [0056]     The composite storage container assembly  150  is formed by joining two storage containers end-to-end with the intermediate walls thereof removed, and includes a first storage container, a second storage container, a connector, and outer reinforcing members  124 ,  126  used in combination with the modified stiffening rails  158 ,  160 . The modified stiffening members  158 ,  160  are designed to receive and securely restrain the second end  138  of the V-shaped stem portion  132  of the outer reinforcing member  124 ,  126 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in a situation where the stem portion has not been extended up to the very top portion of the side wall  112  or  114 .  
         [0057]     The modified stiffening rails  158 ,  160  are substantially U-shaped in cross section, similar to that of the stiffening rails  128 ,  130  of the first embodiment. However, the modified stiffening member  158 ,  160  further include elongated side sections  162 ,  164  designed for securely holding the second end portion  138  of the V-shaped stem portion  132  of the outer reinforcing member  124 ,  126  beneath the elongated element as shown in  FIG. 7 . In this embodiment, the second end  138  of the stem portion  132  of outer reinforcing member is not required to be extended up to a very top edge of corresponding side wall, and it may be placed below the top edge, unlike the first embodiment of the present invention in which the second end of the reinforcing member must be extended up close to the top edge of the side walls. The elongated side sections  162 ,  164  of the modified stiffening rails  158 ,  160  may further provide reinforcement to the side walls of container, as they extend substantially below the top edges of the side walls.  
         [0058]     Additionally, the reinforced container may include reinforcing brace members  125 ,  127  installed on inner corner portions along the height of the container, similar to those shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0059]     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the present invention also contemplates a reinforced collapsible storage container assembly  180  according to a third embodiment, where the assembly is formed by joining two conventional storage containers end-to-end with the intermediate walls thereof removed. The reinforced collapsible storage container assembly  180 , according to the third embodiment hereof, includes a first storage container, a second storage container, a connector, and outer reinforcing members  124 ,  126  used in combination with recessed horizontal reinforcing bars  168 ,  170  as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 .  
         [0060]     The V-shaped stem portion  132  of the outer reinforcing member  124 ,  126  is disposed on outer portions of the side walls  112 ,  114  in the V-shaped groove  122  between side walls, formed by joining two storage containers. The second end  138  of the stem portion  132  is secured by the reinforcing bar  168 ,  170  disposed on the outer portion of the side wall  112 ,  114 . The first end  136 , of the stem portion  132  of the outer reinforcement member, having a flat plate  134  attached thereto, is secured on the vertically intermediate portion above the folding line  115  of the side walls  112 ,  114  in a similar manner as discussed above in connection with the first embodiment.  
         [0061]     Each reinforcing bar  168 ,  170  includes a longitudinal rod, which may be made of metal. The length and the shape of the reinforcing channels may be varied according to the container size and strengthening requirements. The reinforcing bar  168 ,  170  is generally fixed on to the outside portion of a side wall along a substantial length portion of a side walls  112 ,  114  at a vertically intermediate portion thereof, and disposed in a recessed channel formed on the side wall of the storage container  100  between integral reinforcing ribs of the wall. The reinforcing bars  168 ,  170  may be disposed at any vertically intermediate portion of the side walls above the folding line such that it does not interfere with the folding of side walls of collapsible storage container  100 . The reinforcing bars  168 ,  170  are designed to reinforce their respective associated side walls, and to securely restrain a portion of the second end portion  138  of the V-shaped stem portion  132  of the outer reinforcing members  124 ,  126  installed on outer portion of the side walls.  
         [0062]     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 8-9 , the second end portion  138  of the outer reinforcing members  124 ,  126  can either be extended up to very top edge of the side wall, or can be placed below that top edge, as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , depending on the placing of the reinforcing bar  168 ,  170  on the side walls  112 ,  114 . The securing of the stem by the reinforcing channel is generally achieved by placing the stem of the outer reinforcing member beneath the reinforcing bar  168 ,  170  disposed on the side walls  112 ,  114  of the storage container  100 . Alternatively, the second end portion of the stem portion  132  of outer reinforcing member  124 ,  126  may be fixedly attached to its associated reinforcing bar  168 ,  170 .  
         [0063]     In another aspect of the third embodiment, the reinforced storage container includes only reinforcing channels attached to the side walls of the storage container below and above the folding line of the respective side walls, and does not include outer reinforcing members.  
         [0064]     Now referring to  FIG. 10 , in accordance with the fourth illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a reinforced collapsible storage container assembly  100  formed by joining two storage containers includes a first storage container  102 , a second storage container  104 , a connector, inner reinforcement panels  174 ,  176 , and outer reinforcing members  124 ,  126  used in combination with at least one of the stiffening rails  128 ,  130 , modified stiffening member  158 ,  160  and reinforcing bars  168 ,  170 . The reinforced storage container  100  may additionally include reinforcing braces  125 ,  127  placed on inside corners of the container  100 .  
         [0065]     Similar to that of the first and second embodiments, the outer reinforcing member  124 ,  126  is disposed in the V-shaped groove  122 , formed between side walls on outside portion by joining two storage containers  102 ,  104  above the folding line  15  of side walls. The V-shaped stem having a second end portion  138  of  132  is secured by at least one of the stiffening rails  128 ,  130 , modified stiffening member  158 ,  160 , and reinforcing bars  168 ,  170 , and the stem further includes a first end portion having flat attached thereto is further attached to the side walls  112 ,  114  using fastening hardware including nuts and bolts. When stiffening member  128 ,  130  are used to receive the second end portion of the stem therein, second end portion of the stem must be extended up to the very top edge of the side wall. When either modified stiffening member  158 ,  160  or reinforcing bars  168 ,  170  are used for receiving and securing the second end portion  138  of the stem portion  132  may be placed below the very top edge of the side wall  112 ,  114 .  
         [0066]     The inner reinforcement panels  174 ,  176  used for reinforcing side walls  112 ,  114  are generally disposed inside the storage container at an intermediate position below the folding line  115  and are flushed against portions of side walls  112 ,  114  and container floor  116  as generally shown in the  FIG. 10  (seen only on one side wall of the storage container).  
         [0067]     The inner reinforcement panels  174 ,  176  as seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , are substantially an L-shaped in cross-section and may be made of metal, such as stock steel plate. The inner reinforcement panel  174 ,  176  includes a vertical portion  178 , a horizontal portion  180  attached to the vertical portion  178  at bottom, a plurality of attachment holes  182  formed therethrough the vertical portion  178  for fastening the inner reinforcement panel  174 ,  176  to the inner side walls of the storage container  100 .  
         [0068]     The inner reinforcement panels  174 ,  176  are designed to receive portions of container floor  116  and portions of inner side walls  112 ,  114 . It desirable to flush the inner reinforcement panel  174 ,  176  with the portions of side wall  112 ,  114  on the container floor  116  so that when folding the container it allows easy collapsing of the side walls  112 ,  114 . Attachment bolts are placed through the plurality of the attachment holes  182  formed on vertical surface  178  of the inner reinforcement panel  174 ,  176  and then through the receiving holes formed therethrough side walls  112 ,  114 . The attachment bolts extend beyond the outer surface of side wall for tightening the nuts for flushing the inner reinforcement panels against inside portions of side walls  112 ,  114  and container floor  116 . The inner reinforcement panels  174 ,  176  may also include recesses concentrically formed about each attachment hole  182 , thereby permitting head of the attachment bolts to be recessed flush with or beyond the vertical surface  178  of the corresponding inner reinforcement panel  174 ,  176 . Alternatively, the inner reinforcement panel  174 ,  176  may not have any recesses formed thereon.  
         [0069]     Although the present invention has been described herein with respect to specific embodiments thereof, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many modifications may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope hereof. All such modifications, which fall within the scope of the appended claims, are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention.