Patent Description:
Various types of containers may be used for transporting produce, manufactured articles, raw materials, and the like from one location to another. Such containers may be stackable and/or may be configured to be lifted by various vehicles or pieces of equipment such as a forklift. These structures are commonly known as "containers," "bins," "box-pallets," "crates," or "totes," among others, and will be referred to generically herein as "crates.

Traditionally, to realize the maximum strength of materials forming the crates, crates may be molded or otherwise formed as a singled piece. However, such crates occupy the same volume when transported empty on a return journey as when full on an outbound journey. This extremely inefficient use of space is very costly. Alternatively, some disassembling or collapsible crates have been developed in an attempt to reduce the transport volume requirements when the crates are empty. While offering more efficient use of volume, these collapsible crates generally suffer from a number of disadvantages. Specifically with respect to crates that disassemble into separate elements, the base and the sides once separated are generally much less convenient to handle. Furthermore, the number of individual elements that must be handled is greatly increased, and considerable extra labor may be required for packing individual bases and sides compactly for volume-efficient transportation to the next point of use.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsible crate, which addresses the above-mentioned problems.

<CIT> discloses a container, comprising a base, a plurality of walls extending upward from the base, a support mounted to a first wall and movable relative to the first wall between a retracted position and a support position. The first wall is pivotable toward a collapsed position on the base when the support is in the support position relative to the first wall.

<CIT> discloses a storage crate, comprising a base and walls, wherein the walls are connected to the base and wherein at least one wall is hingedly connected to the base by a hinge. The hinge comprises a first and a second member, which are linearly moveable with respect to each other along a longitudinal axis.

<CIT> and <CIT> disclose further collapsible crates.

This summary is a high-level overview of various embodiments of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings, and each claim.

The objective of the present invention is solved by a collapsible crate according to claim <NUM>.

The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures can be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described. Directional references such as "up," "down," "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "front," and "back," among others are intended to refer to the orientation as illustrated and described in the figure (or figures) to which the components and directions are referencing but are not intended to imply any particular configuration.

Described herein are collapsible crates that may be used to transport various materials as desired, including but not limited to produce, manufactured articles, consumer goods, raw materials, and the like. The collapsible crates described herein may include various features that may improve the performance and usability of the crates when the crates are in an erected configuration and when in a collapsed configuration. In certain embodiments, movement from the collapsed configuration to the erected configuration may automatically put the crate in an operating condition without further input, meaning that the crate is ready to be stacked (with a similar foldable crate, a nestable crate, or other crates), receive a product, and/or otherwise used without requiring a further action such as additional manual or other input.

As one example, a collapsible crate may include a swing bar that is pivotably connected to an end wall of the crate and is also engaged with side walls of the crate. The swing bar may provide improved control of movement of the end wall between the collapsed configuration and the erected configuration. In various embodiments, in the collapsed configuration, the swing bar may be positioned proximate to a base of the crate, and in the erected configuration, the swing bar may be positioned proximate to a top of the crate opposite from the base. The swing bar may also be engaged with the side walls at various stages of movement of the end wall to provide improved stability and/or support to the crate. As one example, the swing bar may minimize or prevent the side walls from bowing inwards towards a center of the crate by engaging opposing side walls. As another example, the swing bar may optionally include a key feature that engages a corresponding locking feature on the side walls to minimize or prevent the side walls from bowing outwards. In certain embodiments, the side walls and/or the end walls of the crate may include various stoppers or other features that selectively engage the swing bar at various positions to at least temporarily hold the swing bar at various positions. As one example, the side walls may include a stopper that at least partially overlaps the swing bar when the end wall is in the erected configuration to minimize or prevent the swing bar from folding out when the crate is flipped. The swing bar may optionally include a stopper or other suitable feature that may facilitate stacking of another crate on the crate with the swing bar by engaging the other crate to position the other crate relative to the crate with the swing bar. The particular locations of the stoppers and the number of stoppers should not be considered limiting on the disclosure. For example, one or more stoppers may be on the side wall, the end wall, and/or the swing bar assembly as desired.

As another example, the side walls of the crate may include guide channels that the swing bar engages when the crate is assembled. The guide channels may include a foot portion that optionally allows for the swing bar to be substantially parallel to the end wall when the end wall is in the collapsed configuration and optionally allows for the end wall to be substantially parallel to a plane of a base of the crate. In certain embodiments, the foot portion receiving the swing bar may provide improved stability to the crate in the collapsed configuration, and may improve the stackability of the crate with other crates or items as desired while in the collapsed configuration. In some embodiments, the guide channels may be continuous and extend towards the base from top edges of the side walls, and the guide channels may optionally be non-linear to provide improved control of the movement of the swing bar (and thus the end wall) between the collapsed configuration and the erected configuration.

The collapsible crates described herein may provide other benefits and advantages, and the aforementioned listing should not be considered limiting.

<FIG> illustrate a collapsible crate <NUM> according to various embodiments. The crate <NUM> includes a base <NUM>, a pair of end walls <NUM>, a pair of side walls <NUM>, and at least one swing bar assembly <NUM>. The crate <NUM> may be constructed from various materials as desired, and in certain embodiments, the crate <NUM> may optionally be constructed from polymer materials. In various embodiments, the base <NUM>, the end walls <NUM>, and/or the side walls <NUM> may be solid, may include apertures or openings as desired, and/or may have other constructions as desired. When included, the apertures or openings may reduce the weight of the crate <NUM> and/or may allow for materials (e.g., air, water, etc.) to pass through the crate <NUM>. Apertures or openings may also provide one or more gripping locations that a user may utilize to grip or otherwise handle the crate <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, for example, the base <NUM> includes an inner face <NUM> and an outer face <NUM>. Optionally, the inner face <NUM><NUM> may include various features for positioning or otherwise locating an item on the base <NUM> including but not limited to grooves, visual patterns, or other features as desired. Optionally, and as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the outer face <NUM> may include one or more pockets <NUM> defined in the outer face <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the pockets <NUM> may accommodate various devices or components that may be used with the crate <NUM>, including but not limited to various sensors, communication circuits or devices, cameras, speakers, cellular devices, other information of things devices, or other components as desired. Optionally, and as best illustrated in <FIG>, at least one pocket <NUM> may include stoppers <NUM> that at least partially overlap the pocket <NUM> to at least temporarily contain the device within the pocket <NUM>.

Each end wall <NUM> includes an inner face <NUM>, an outer face <NUM>, and a top edge <NUM>. Each side wall <NUM> may similarly include an inner face <NUM>, an outer face <NUM>, and a top edge <NUM>. Similar to the base <NUM>, the end walls <NUM> and/or the side walls <NUM> may include pockets defined in their faces for accommodating various devices or components that may be used with the crate <NUM>. The end walls <NUM> and the side walls <NUM> are each hingedly attached to the base <NUM> such that the end walls <NUM> and the side walls <NUM> may be in an erected configuration or a collapsed configuration.

In the collapsed configuration, the end walls <NUM> and/or the side walls <NUM> may at least partially overlap the base <NUM>. In some cases, in the collapsed configuration, at least a portion of the inner face <NUM> of at least one of the end walls <NUM> and/or the inner face <NUM> of at least one of the side walls <NUM> may face (and optionally contact) the inner face <NUM> of the base <NUM>. In certain embodiments, in the collapsed configuration, one of the end walls <NUM> and one of the side walls <NUM> may optionally be in an overlapping arrangement. In the collapsed configuration, the end walls <NUM> and/or the side walls <NUM> may be substantially parallel to the base plane, meaning that the walls are offset by no more than <NUM> degrees relative to the base plane. <FIG> illustrates another embodiment of a crate <NUM> that is substantially similar to the crate <NUM> and illustrates the end walls <NUM> in the collapsed configuration. Optionally, the end walls <NUM> and/or the side walls <NUM> may optionally include intermediate hinges such that the walls may further be folded as desired.

<FIG> illustrate the end walls <NUM> and the side walls <NUM> in the erected configuration. In the erected configuration, the end walls <NUM> and the side walls <NUM> are substantially perpendicular to a base plane of the base <NUM>, meaning that the walls are offset by no more than <NUM> degrees relative to a direction perpendicular to the base plane. As illustrated in <FIG> for example, in the erected configuration, the top edges <NUM>, <NUM> are spaced apart from the inner face <NUM> of the base <NUM>. In the erected configuration, and as illustrated in <FIG>, for example, the base <NUM>, the end walls <NUM>, and the side walls <NUM> together define a receiving area <NUM>. When used, materials or items to be stored or transported by the crate <NUM> may be received within the receiving area <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, the side walls <NUM> may extend in a longitudinal direction of the crate <NUM>, and the end walls <NUM> may extend in a transverse direction of the crate <NUM>. In some embodiments, a length of the end walls <NUM> may be less than a length of the side walls <NUM>, although they need not be in other embodiments. In various embodiments, and as best illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the side walls <NUM> may at least partially overlap the end walls <NUM> in the transverse direction when the crate <NUM> is in the erected configuration. In various embodiments, in the erected configuration, the top edges <NUM>, <NUM> may be coplanar, although they need not be in other embodiments.

In some embodiments, and as best illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the crate <NUM> may include a fastening mechanism <NUM> associated with each end wall <NUM> that selectively locks the end walls <NUM> with the adjacent side walls <NUM>. The fastening mechanism <NUM> may include an actuator <NUM> and a pair of catch elements <NUM> that are selectively actuated by the actuator <NUM> to engage or disengage the side walls <NUM>. In some cases, the actuator <NUM> may be a handle that is manually operated to cause the catch elements <NUM> to engage or disengage the side walls <NUM>. In some embodiments, the actuator <NUM> may be selectively actuated in the vertical direction to selective actuate the catch elements <NUM> in the horizontal direction. In certain embodiments, the actuator <NUM> may be displaced from an initial position in either of an upward vertical motion or a downward vertical motion, and mechanical linkages may displace the catch elements <NUM> in the horizontal direction from an engagement position to release the engagement. In some embodiments, the bidirectional actuation to release locking of the crate walls provides added versatility and convenience in the day-to-day usage of the crates described herein.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in certain embodiments, the inner face <NUM> of each side wall <NUM> includes at least one guide channel. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the inner face <NUM> of each side wall <NUM> includes two guide channels 129A-B. In embodiments with two guide channels 129A-B, the guide channels 129A-B may be mirrored about the vertical axis; however, in other embodiments, the guide channels 129A-B need not be mirrored, and one guide channel 129A may have a shape, configuration, and/or other features that are different from the other guide channel 129B.

The following description will refer to the guide channel 129A, but the description is equally applicable to the guide channel 129B. As best illustrated in <FIG>, the guide channel 129A extends from the top edge <NUM> of the side wall <NUM> towards the base <NUM>. In some embodiments, the guide channel 129A includes a foot portion <NUM> that is proximate to the base <NUM>, and the guide channel 129A may extend and be defined continuously on the inner face <NUM> from the top edge <NUM> to the foot portion <NUM>. In certain embodiments, and as best illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the guide channel 129A has a non-linear profile between the top edge <NUM> and the foot portion <NUM> in the longitudinal direction. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the guide channel 129A has an arcuate profile. In some cases, the guide channel 129A with the non-linear profile, such as the arcuate profile, may provide improved control and movement of a swing bar <NUM> received within the guide channel 129A by controlling the rate and direction of movement of the swing bar <NUM> from the erected configuration to the collapsed configuration. In other embodiments, and as illustrated in <FIG>, a guide channel may have a generally linear profile.

The guide channel 129A includes a first channel edge <NUM> and a second channel edge <NUM> opposite from the first channel edge <NUM>, and a distance between the first channel edge <NUM> and the second channel edge <NUM> is a width of the guide channel 129A. In various embodiments, the first channel edge <NUM> may be the edge of the guide channel 129A that is more proximate to the end wall <NUM> compared to the second channel edge <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the width of the guide channel 129A at the top edge <NUM> may be greater than, less than, or equal to the width of the guide channel 129A between the top edge <NUM> and the foot portion <NUM>. Likewise, the width of the guide channel 129A at the top edge <NUM> may be greater than, less than, or equal to the width of the guide channel 129A at the foot portion <NUM>. Optionally, and as best illustrated in <FIG>, the width of the guide channel 129A at the foot portion <NUM> is greater than the width of the guide channel 129A between the top edge <NUM> and the foot portion <NUM>. In some cases, the width of the guide channel 129A at the foot poriton <NUM> may be a greatest width of the guide channel 129A, although it need not be in other embodiments. When included, the foot portion <NUM> with the increased width may allow for the swing bar <NUM> to be substantially flat when the end wall <NUM> is in the collapsed configuration and/or may allow for the swing bar <NUM> to be positioned at a maximum distance away from the top edge <NUM> of the end wall <NUM> when the end wall <NUM> is in the collapsed configuration. In certain embodiments, the foot portion <NUM> with the increased width may facilitate positioning of the end wall <NUM> in the collapsed configuration such that the end wall <NUM> is substantially parallel to the base plane of the base <NUM>.

In some optional embodiments, and as best illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first channel edge <NUM> of the guide channel 129A includes a resting groove <NUM>. The resting groove <NUM> may selectively receive at least a portion of the swing bar <NUM> when the end wall <NUM> is in the erected configuration. The resting groove <NUM> may provide improved support to the swing bar <NUM> when the end wall <NUM> is in the erected configuration. In particular, the resting groove <NUM> may provide improved support to the swing bar <NUM> for vertical loads that may act on the swing bar <NUM> (e.g., due to stacking of multiple crates) and may minimize inadvertent movement of the swing bar <NUM> along the guide channel 129A towards the foot portion <NUM>. In other words, some amount of force may be required to dislodge the swing bar <NUM> from the resting groove <NUM> such that the swing bar <NUM> may move within the guide channel 129A towards the foot portion <NUM>.

As previously mentioned, the crate <NUM> includes at least one swing bar assembly <NUM> for at least one of the end walls <NUM>. In certain embodiments, each end wall <NUM> may include a swing bar assembly <NUM>. In such examples, one swing bar assembly <NUM> may be selectively engaged with the guide channel 129A, and the other swing bar assembly <NUM> may be selectively engaged with the guide channel 129B. In some cases, each swing bar assembly <NUM> may be a separate component that is connected to the corresponding end wall <NUM>; however, in other embodiments, a swing bar assembly <NUM> and end wall <NUM> may be integrally or monolithically formed as a single component. In some embodiments where the swing bar assembly <NUM> and end wall <NUM> are integrally formed, the swing bar assembly <NUM> may be movable relative to the end wall via various suitable mechanisms as desired, including but not limited to a living hinge.

As best illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the swing bar assemblies <NUM> each include the swing bar <NUM> and a pair of connecting arms 148A-B. In some cases, the swing bar <NUM> and the connecting arms 148A-B are separate components that are attached together via various suitable joining or fastening mechanisms as desired. In other embodiments, the swing bar <NUM> and the connecting arms 148A-B are integrally or monolithically formed as a single component. In addition, the particular structures illustrated as the connecting arms 148A-B should not be considered limiting, as the connecting arms 148A-B may be various structures or devices as desired, including but not limited to flaps, shelfs, rods, pins, combinations thereof, or other devices or structures as desired. Moreover, the number of connecting arms 148A-B should not be considered limiting on the disclosure, and each swing bar assembly <NUM> may include more than two connecting arms as desired. In certain embodiments, the number and/or type of connecting arms of one swing bar assembly <NUM> need not be the same as the number and/or type of connecting arms of the other swing bar assembly <NUM>.

The swing bar <NUM> includes a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM> opposite from the first end <NUM>. In certain aspects, a first connecting arm 148A extends from the swing bar <NUM> proximate to the first end <NUM> and a second connecting arm 148B extends from the swing bar <NUM> proximate to the second end <NUM>. A portion of the swing bar <NUM> between the first connecting arm 148A and the first end <NUM> is a first end extension <NUM> of the swing bar <NUM>, and a portion of the swing bar <NUM> between the second connecting arm 148B and the second end <NUM> is a second end extension <NUM> of the swing bar <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the end extensions <NUM>, <NUM> of the swing bar <NUM> are received within the guide channels 129A-B of the side walls <NUM>.

Optionally, the swing bar <NUM> may include a key <NUM> proximate to each of the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the key <NUM> associated with the first end <NUM>. The key <NUM> extends outwards from the swing bar <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the key <NUM> optionally extends outwards from the swing bar <NUM> in a same direction as the connecting arms 148A-B (see <FIG>). In other embodiments, the key <NUM> need not extend in the same direction as the connecting arms 148A-B (see <FIG>). When the key <NUM> is included, the side walls <NUM> may include a corresponding locking feature <NUM> that selectively engages the key <NUM> at various locations along the side wall <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the locking feature <NUM> is a locking slot <NUM> that selectively receives the key <NUM> when the swing bar <NUM> is in the guide channel <NUM> proximate to the top edge <NUM> of the side wall <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the locking feature <NUM> at least partially overlaps the key <NUM> in the transverse direction such that a portion of the side wall <NUM> (e.g., the locking feature <NUM>) is between the key <NUM> and another portion of the swing bar <NUM> such as the opposing end, the adjacent connecting arm, etc. In other embodiments, the locking feature <NUM> may be at other locations as desired and may be other features suitable for engaging the key <NUM> as desired. As an example, <FIG> illustrate a locking aperture <NUM> as the locking feature <NUM>. The key <NUM> and locking feature <NUM> may provide improved support to the side walls <NUM> and may minimize or prevent the side walls <NUM> from bowing outwards.

In some optional embodiments, the swing bar <NUM> may include a stopper <NUM> extending outwards from the swing bar <NUM>. In certain embodiments, another crate may be stacked on top of the crate <NUM>, and the stopper <NUM> may selectively engage the other crate to position the other crate relative to the crate <NUM>. The engagement between the stopper <NUM> and the crate stacked on top of the crate <NUM> may improve the stability of the stack of crates. <FIG> illustrate the stopper <NUM> engaged with various crates.

The connecting arms 148A-B extend from the swing bar <NUM> and are pivotably attached to the end wall <NUM> such that the swing bar <NUM> is rotatable or pivotable relative to the end wall <NUM>. The connecting arms 148A-B pivotably attached to the end wall <NUM> may allow for the swing bar <NUM> to be at various angular positions relative to the end wall <NUM> while the end wall <NUM> is moved from the erected configuration to the collapsed configuration (or vice versa) and may allow for the swing bar <NUM> to move along the guide channels 129A-B of the side walls <NUM>. In various aspects, the locations at which the connecting arms 148A-B are pivotably attached to the end wall <NUM> are fixed while allowing for pivoting and rotation of the swing bar <NUM> relative to the end wall <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the connecting arms 148A-B have a fixed length, although the length need not be fixed in other embodiments.

Optionally, and as best illustrated in <FIG>, the side wall <NUM> may include a stopper <NUM> at the top edge <NUM> that at least partially overlaps the adjacent connecting arms 148A-B in the vertical direction. In some embodiments, the stopper <NUM> may minimize or prevent inadvertent rotation of the swing bar assembly <NUM> beyond the top edge <NUM>. As a non-limiting example, the stopper <NUM> may minimize or prevent rotation of the swing bar assembly <NUM> beyond the top edge <NUM> when the crate <NUM> is in an upside down configuration. In some cases, a force may be applied to the swing bar assembly <NUM> such that the swing bar assembly <NUM> can rotate beyond the top edge <NUM> (see, e.g., <FIG>). Optionally, the side wall <NUM> may include an end stopper <NUM> that selectively engages the swing bar assembly <NUM> when the swing bar assembly <NUM> is rotated beyond the top edge <NUM>. In certain aspects, the end stopper <NUM> may limit or prevent the swing bar assembly <NUM> from rotating beyond the ends of the crate <NUM> in the longitudinal direction when the crate <NUM> is in the erected configuration.

<FIG> illustrate another crate <NUM> according to various embodiments. In certain embodiments, the crate <NUM> may be substantially similar to the crate <NUM> except as noted below.

As best illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, for example, compared to the guide channels 129A-B of the crate <NUM>, guide channels 929A-B of the crate <NUM> have a more linear profile. In addition, a foot portion <NUM> of the guide channels 929A-B does not have an increased width compared to the foot portion <NUM> of the guide channels 129A-B, and a width of the guide channels 929A-B at the top edge <NUM> is a greatest width of the guide channels 929A-B.

Similar to the crate <NUM>, the swing bar assembly <NUM> of the crate <NUM> includes the keys <NUM> and the side walls <NUM> include the locking features <NUM>. However, compared to the crate <NUM> and as best illustrated in <FIG>, the keys <NUM> of the crate <NUM> extend outwards from the swing bar <NUM> in a direction that is different from the direction of the connecting arms 148A-B. Compared to the crate <NUM> and as best illustrated in <FIG>, the locking features <NUM> of the crate <NUM> are locking apertures <NUM> defined in the first channel edge <NUM>.

Compared to the crate <NUM> and as best illustrated in <FIG>, the crate <NUM> also includes locating features <NUM>, <NUM> on the swing bar <NUM> and side walls <NUM>, respectively. When included, the locating features <NUM>, <NUM> may at least temporarily position the swing bar <NUM> relative to the side walls <NUM>, and some amount of force may be required to disengage the locating features <NUM>, <NUM> such that the swing bar <NUM> can be moved. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the locating feature <NUM> is a pin <NUM> and the locating feature <NUM> is detent <NUM>. In other embodiments, the pin <NUM> and the detent <NUM> may be switched (e.g., the locating feature <NUM> may be the detent <NUM>), and in further embodiments various other suitable features may be used as the locating features <NUM>, <NUM> as desired.

The crates described herein may allow for various stacking configurations as desired and may allow for dissimilar crates to be stacked. <FIG> illustrates an example of a stack <NUM> with two crates <NUM>, and <FIG> illustrates an example of a stack <NUM> that includes the crate <NUM> with another type of crate <NUM> stacked on the crate <NUM>. In certain aspects, the stopper <NUM> may be used to position the top crates relative to the bottom crates.

A method of assembling the crates described herein may include moving the side walls from the collapsed configuration to the erected configuration and/or moving the end walls from the collapsed configuration to the erected configuration. In certain aspects, moving the end walls may move the swing bar within the guide channels of the side walls from the foot portions of the guide channels to proximate the top edges of the side walls. In some embodiments, moving the end walls to the erected configuration may include moving the swing bar within the guide channels and positioning the swing bar in the resting groove and/or engaging the key with the locking feature of the side wall. Optionally, moving the end walls to the erected configuration may include contacting the connecting arms of the swing bar assemblies with the stoppers at the top edges of the side walls. Optionally, moving the end walls and/or the side walls to the erected configuration may include moving the end walls and/or the side walls such that they are substantially perpendicular to the base plane of the base of the crate and/or such that the crate defines the receiving area.

Claim 1:
A collapsible crate (<NUM>) comprising:
a base (<NUM>);
a side wall (<NUM>) extending in a longitudinal direction and hingedly attached to the base (<NUM>) such that the side wall (<NUM>) is movable between an erected configuration and a collapsed configuration, wherein the side wall (<NUM>) comprises a top edge (<NUM>) and an inner face (<NUM>), wherein the inner face (<NUM>) comprises a guide channel (129A, 129B) extending from the top edge (<NUM>) towards the base (<NUM>) and comprising a first channel edge (<NUM>) and a second channel edge (<NUM>) opposite from the first channel edge (<NUM>), wherein a distance between the first channel edge (<NUM>) and the second channel edge (<NUM>) is a width of the guide channel (129A, 129B), wherein the guide channel (129A, 129B) comprises a foot portion (<NUM>) opposite from the top edge (<NUM>), and wherein the width of the foot portion (<NUM>) of the guide channel (129A, 129B) is greater than the width of the guide channel (129A, 129B) between the top edge (<NUM>) and the foot portion (<NUM>);
an end wall (<NUM>) extending in a transverse direction and hingedly attached to the base (<NUM>) such that the end wall (<NUM>) is movable between an erected configuration and a collapsed configuration, wherein the end wall (<NUM>) is adjacent to the side wall (<NUM>); and
a swing bar assembly (<NUM>) pivotably supported on the end wall (<NUM>), wherein the swing bar assembly (<NUM>) comprises a swing bar (<NUM>) that is at least partially received within the guide channel (129A, 129B), wherein the swing bar (<NUM>) comprises a first end (<NUM>) and a second end, (<NUM>) and wherein the swing bar assembly (<NUM>) further comprises:
a first connecting arm (148A); and
a second connecting arm (148B),
wherein the first connecting arm (148A) and the second connecting arm (148B) are each pivotably attached to the end wall (<NUM>), and
characterized in that the first connecting arm (148A) and the second connecting arm (148B) each extend from the swing bar (<NUM>) such that a first end extension (<NUM>) is defined on the swing bar (<NUM>) between the first connecting arm (148A) and the first end (<NUM>) and a second end extension (<NUM>) is defined between the second connecting arm (148B) and the second end (<NUM>), and
wherein at least one of the first end extension (<NUM>) or the second end extension (<NUM>) is received within the guide channel (129A, 129B).