CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority on United States Provisional Application No. 62/701 ,966, filed on July 23, 2018.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to storage and transportation units, and more particularly to a collapsible storage and transportation unit configurable in a collapsed and uncollapsed configurations.

BACKGROUND Shipping containers revolutionized domestic and global trades by dramatically reducing the costs, time and losses associated with the transportation of goods (or cargo). Goods may be stored and transported using various types of containers. Typically, a container for storing and transporting goods will comprise a cargo base for receiving the goods to be stored and/or transported thereon as well as side structures to contain the goods on the base. Such containers are usually rectangular or cubic to enable a plurality of containers to be stacked and/or disposed adjacent to each other such that there is no space or minimal space between the containers.

However, depending on the particularities of trading routes, the worldwide use of shipping containers poses environmental and economic issues. For instance, when there is an imbalance in the net amount of shipping containers trafficking between two market destinations, they tend to pill up at one end of the line where they take up space that could be used otherwise. In this case, it is usually too expensive to send back empty containers over long distances to the original market destination while it is almost the same cost to expedite shipping containers full of goods. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have shipping containers that may be shipped empty and/or stored without occupying an unnecessary large amount of space. Furthermore, most shipping containers are not configured to adapt to the nature of cargo being stored or transported by either protecting the cargo from the outside environment (in the case, e.g., of goods sensitive to air, humidity, light, etc.) or by exposing the cargo to the outside environment (in the case, e.g., of live animals).

There is therefore a need for a shipping container that will overcome at least one of the above-identified issues or drawbacks.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to a broad aspect, there is disclosed a collapsible storage and transportation unit, comprising a base including a cargo area surrounded by an edge having four ends; four wall panel supporting members connected to the edge of the base, each wall panel supporting member comprising at least a first post member and a second post member, the wall panel supporting members being pivotable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration, wherein in the folded configuration the wall panel supporting members are lying down over the base and the collapsible storage and transportation unit is in a collapsed configuration, wherein in the unfolded configuration the first post member of a first given wall panel supporting member and the second post member of a second given wall panel supporting member are both adjacent to each other and project together from each corresponding end of the base generally perpendicularly thereto and four locking means, each locking means comprising a first locking member and a second locking member, the first locking member being located on a first post member of a first wall panel supporting member, the second locking member being located on a second post member of a second wall panel supporting member, wherein the physical coupling between the first locking member and the second locking member enables locking the first wall panel supporting member and the second wall panel supporting member in a uncollapsed configuration, wherein a first collapsible storage and transportation unit is stackable over a second collapsible storage and transportation unit.

According to an embodiment, the collapsible storage and transportation unit further comprises at least one wall panel, the at least one wall panel being connectable between two corresponding post members of any wall panel supporting member.

According to an embodiment, the first collapsible storage and transportation unit in any one of the collapsed and the uncollapsed configuration is stackable over the second collapsible storage and transportation unit in any one of the collapsed and the uncollapsed configuration.

According to an embodiment, the collapsible storage and transportation unit is transportable in presence or absence of the at least one wall panel.

According to an embodiment, the first collapsible storage and transportation unit and the second collapsible storage and transportation unit are stackable over each other in presence or absence of the at least one wall panel.

According to an embodiment, the at least one wall panel is stackable over another wall panel.

According to an embodiment, the at least one wall panel is transportable while stacked over another wall panel. According to an embodiment, each of the four wall panel supporting members comprises a U-shaped frame.

According to an embodiment, the at least one wall panel is received within the U-shaped frame.

According to an embodiment, each of the four wall panel supporting members comprises at least one hinge. According to an embodiment, the at least one hinge comprises a slotted hinge.

According to an embodiment, the slotted hinge is sized and shaped so that the four wall panel supporting members are collapsed in a random order. According to an embodiment, the first locking member comprises a male connector and the second locking member comprises a female connector sized and shaped to receive the male connector therein.

According to an embodiment, the male connector physically couples the female connector socket by a vertical displacement of the at least one slotted hinge. According to an embodiment, the male connector comprises a hook and the female connector comprises a hook-receiving socket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be readily understood, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a top, front, right side perspective view of a collapsible storage and transportation unit, in accordance with one embodiment. The collapsible storage and transportation unit comprises a base, four wall panel supporting members, four locking means, and four wall panels.

FIG. 2 is a top, front, left side perspective view of the collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a top, front, right side perspective view of the base of the collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the base of the collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of the base of the collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a left elevation view of the base of the collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a top, front, right side perspective view of a wall panel supporting member of the collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the wall panel supporting member of the collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a left elevation view of the wall panel supporting member of the collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged left elevation view of the wall panel supporting member shown in FIG. 1 . The illustrated wall panel supporting member is in a collapsed configuration.

FIG. 1 1 is a top, rear, right side perspective view of another wall panel supporting member of the collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 12 is a front plan view of the other wall panel supporting member of the collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 1 1 .

FIG. 13 is a top, front, right side perspective view of a wall panel of the collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 14 is a top, front, right side perspective view of a wall panel connected to a wall panel supporting member of the collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 15 is a top, front, right side perspective view of a wall panel connected to another wall panel supporting member of the collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 16 is a top, front, right side perspective view of the collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 1 . The illustrated collapsible storage and transportation unit has a first wall panel supporting member, which is connected to a wall panel, partially folded.

FIG. 17 is a top, front, right side perspective view of the collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 16. The illustrated collapsible storage and transportation unit has a first wall panel supporting member, which is connected to a wall panel, completely folded.

FIG. 18 is a top, front, right side perspective view of the collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 17. The illustrated collapsible storage and transportation unit has a first and second wall panel supporting members, which are connected to two corresponding wall panels, completely folded.

FIG. 19 is a top, front, right side perspective view of the collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 18. The illustrated collapsible storage and transportation unit has a first and second wall panel supporting members, which are connected to two corresponding wall panels, completely folded and a third wall panel supporting member, which is also connected to a wall panel, partially folded.

FIG. 20 is a top, front, right side perspective view of the collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 19. The illustrated collapsible storage and transportation unit has the four wall panel supporting members, which are connected to four corresponding wall panels, completely folded and is therefore in a collapsed configuration.

FIG. 21 is a top, front, right side perspective view of two collapsible storage and transportation units shown in FIG. 1 that are stacked over each other. The two illustrated collapsible storage and transportation units are in a uncollapsed configuration.

FIG. 22 is a top, front, right side perspective view of the two collapsible storage and transportation units shown in FIG. 21 . The two illustrated collapsible storage and transportation units are in a collapsed configuration.

FIG. 23 is a top, front, right side perspective view of the two collapsible storage and transportation units shown in FIG. 21 . The two illustrated collapsible storage and transportation units are in an uncollapsed configuration and no wall panel are connected thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of the embodiments, references to the accompanying drawings are by way of illustration of an example by which the invention may be practised. It will be understood that various embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed.

Terms

The term "invention" and the like mean "the one or more inventions disclosed in this application”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “an aspect”, "an embodiment”, “a given embodiment”, "embodiment”, "embodiments”, "the embodiment”, "the embodiments”, "one or more embodiments”, "some embodiments”, "certain embodiments”, "one embodiment”, "another embodiment", and the like mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the disclosed invention(s)”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

A reference to "another embodiment" or“another aspect” in describing an embodiment does not imply that the referenced embodiment is mutually exclusive with another embodiment (e.g., an embodiment described before the referenced embodiment), unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "including”, "comprising", and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms "a”, "an", and "the" mean "one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The term "plurality" means "two or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The term "herein" means "in the present application, including anything that may be incorporated by reference”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The term "whereby" is used herein only to precede a clause or other set of words that express only the intended result, objective, or consequence of something that is previously and explicitly recited. Thus, when the term "whereby" is used in a claim, the clause or other set of words that the term "whereby" modifies do not establish specific further limitations of the claim or otherwise restricts the meaning or scope of the claim.

The term "e.g." and like terms mean "for example”, and thus do not limit the terms or phrases they explain.

The term "i.e." and like terms mean "that is”, and thus limit the terms or phrases they explain.

Neither the Title nor the Abstract is to be taken as limiting in any way as the scope of the disclosed invention(s). The title and headings of sections of the present application are for convenience only and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

Numerous embodiments are described in the present application and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not, and are not intended to be, limiting in any sense. The presently disclosed invention(s) is or are widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure. A skilled addressee will appreciate that the disclosed invention(s) may be practised with various modifications and alterations, such as structural modifications, for instance. Although particular features of the disclosed invention(s) may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments and/or drawings, it should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or drawings with reference to which they are described, unless expressly specified otherwise.

With all this in mind, the present disclosure is directed to a collapsible storage and transportation unit. In one embodiment, the collapsible storage and transportation unit is used for storing cargoes and/or goods. In another embodiment, the collapsible storage and transportation unit is used for transporting and/or shipping cargoes and/or goods. In the present disclosure, it will be appreciated that cargoes and/or goods may be anything that is susceptible to be stored, transported, and/or shipped by the use of any kind of containers, including but not limited to shipping containers, intermodal containers, cargo containers, freight containers, ISO containers, High Cube or Hi-Cube containers, sea or ocean containers, sea cans or c cans, container vans or boxes (Conex), for example.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is disclosed a collapsible storage and transportation unit 100, in accordance with an embodiment. The collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 comprises a base 102, a pair of longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b, a pair of shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b, four frame locking elements 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d to lock the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b together in a uncollapsed configuration, as well as four interchangeable wall panels 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d receivable and securable to the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b, as it will be described in greater details. Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, the base 102 will now be described in accordance with one embodiment. The base 102 is generally rectangular and comprises a pair of longer parallel longitudinal sides 300a, 300b extending perpendicularly between a pair of shorter parallel longitudinal sides 302a, 302b, as well as a lower face 304, an opposed upper face 306, and four corners 308a, 308b, 308c, 308d. The upper face 306 includes a cargo area 310 (i.e. where the cargoes and/or goods are received) surrounded on its outer edge by a pair of longer peripheral plates 400a, 400b extending along the longer parallel longitudinal sides 300a, 300b, and a pair of shorter peripheral plates 402a, 402b extending along the shorter parallel longitudinal sides 302a, 302b. Cargo area 310 may or may not comprise of a plurality of additional crossbars underneath for added support of cargo load.

On the lower face 304 of an embodiment, the base 102 comprises four generally rectangular corner foot members 312a, 312b, 312c, 312d projecting perpendicularly relative to the base 102 (i.e. downwardly), as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6. The corner foot members 312a, 312b, 312c, 312d are located at the corresponding corners 308a, 308b, 308c, 308d and are adapted to support the base 102 and its cargo on a corresponding pair of longer strip baseplates 314a, 314b and a corresponding pair of shorter strip baseplates 316a, 316b to which they are connected. More particularly, the longer strip baseplates 314a, 314b extend along the corresponding longer parallel longitudinal sides 300a, 300b of base 102, while the shorter strip baseplates 316a, 316b extend along the corresponding shorter parallel longitudinal sides 302a, 302b of base 102. Taken together, the longer strip baseplates 314a, 314b and the shorter strip baseplates 316a, 316b define a generally rectangular structure having a hollow centre generally centred on the cargo area 310. It will be appreciated that baseplates 314a, 314b, 316a and 316b each may similarly have upwardly stamped embossments for increased strength and rigidity. Still on the lower face 304 of an embodiment, the base 102 further comprises four generally U-shaped central supports 318a, 318b, 318c, 318d providing structural rigidity to the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 for supporting the cargo. More particularly, the U-shaped central supports 318b, 318d extend between the corresponding longer peripheral plates 400a, 400b and the corresponding longer strip baseplates 314a, 314b, while the U-shaped central supports 318a, 318c extend between the corresponding shorter peripheral plates 402a, 402b and the corresponding shorter strip baseplates 316a, 316b. Each of the U-shaped central supports 318a, 318b, 318c, 318d is further centred between the corresponding corner foot members 312a, 312b, 312c, 312d, therefore defining lifting openings 320a, 320b, 320c, 320d along the corresponding longer parallel longitudinal sides 300a, 300b and lifting openings 322a, 322b, 322c, 322d along the corresponding shorter parallel longitudinal sides 302a, 302b on the lower face 304 of base 102. The skilled addressee will appreciate that the U-shaped central supports

318a, 318b, 318c, 318d may have various configurations, including size, shape and location, as long as the lifting openings 320a, 320b, 320c, 320d and 322a, 322b, 322c, 322d are maintained for the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 to be handled by lifting equipment, such as for instance using forklifts, jacks, and the likes. Similarly, it will be appreciated that the lifting openings 320a, 320b, 320c, 320d and 322a, 322b, 322c, 322d may also have various configurations, including size, shape and location, as long as the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 maintain the ability to be handled by lifting equipment.

In one embodiment, and with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the corner foot members 312a, 312b, 312c, 312d and the U-shaped central supports 318a, 318b, 318c, 318d provide the clearance required for lifting equipment to place lifting forks within any of the lifting openings 320a, 320b, 320c, 320d and 322a, 322b, 322c, 322d for handling the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100. The skilled addressee will appreciate that such a configuration enables the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 to be lifted and handled by any of the longer parallel longitudinal sides 300a, 300b and any of the shorter parallel longitudinal sides 302a, 302b. Alternatively, the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 may be provided without the corner foot members 312a, 312b, 312c, 312d such that the base 102 is closer to the ground instead of being elevated thereof.

On the upper face 306 of an embodiment, and referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the base 102 comprises four generally rectangular alignment notch supports 322a, 322b, 322c, 322d projecting perpendicularly relative to the base 102 (i.e. upwardly) . The alignment notch supports 322a, 322b, 322c, 322d are located at the corresponding corners 308a, 308b, 308c, 308d, above the corresponding corner foot members 312a, 312b, 312c, 312d, and are adapted to house both four alignment notches 324a, 324b, 324c, 324d and four slotted hinge members 404a, 404b, 404c, 404d, which includes four corresponding vertical openings 330a, 330b, 330c, 330d. More particularly, atop each alignment notch supports 322a, 322b, 322c, 322d is a corresponding alignment notch 324a, 324b, 324c, 324d that may be used to stack the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 over another collapsible storage and transportation unit 100. The alignment notch 324a, 324b, 324c, 324d may also be used to maintain the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b in an upstanding position, as it will be described. As it will also be described, on opposing faces of the alignment notch supports 322a, 322b, 322c, 322d, along the corresponding longer parallel longitudinal sides 300a, 300b, are the slotted hinge members 404a, 404b, 404c, 404d that may be used to pivot the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b in a completely flat configuration above the base 102. Still on the upper face 306 of an embodiment, the base 102 further comprises a pair of longer base sidewalls 326a, 326b and a pair of shorter base sidewalls 328c, 328d extending perpendicularly relative to the base 102 (i.e. upwardly), as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The longer base sidewalls 326a, 326b extend along the corresponding longer parallel longitudinal sides 300a, 300b and comprise the alignment notch supports 322a, 322b, 322c, 322d, four frame supports 406a, 406b, 406c, 406d, and two L-shaped central supports 412a, 412b. The shorter base sidewalls 328a, 328b extend between the corresponding alignment notch supports 322a, 322b, 322c, 322d of longer base sidewalls 326a, 326b, along the corresponding shorter parallel longitudinal sides 302a, 302b, and comprise four frame supports 408a, 408b, 408c, 408d, which includes four vertical openings 332a, 332b, 332c, 332d. In one embodiment, the frame supports 406a, 406b, 406c, 406d and 408a, 408b, 408c, 408d of base 102 are opened at their uppermost portions to provide free access to the inside. In an alternative embodiment, the uppermost portions of frame supports 406a, 406b, 406c, 406d and 408a, 408b, 408c, 408d are capped off to block this access. Taken together, the longer base sidewalls 326a, 326b and the shorter base sidewalls 328a, 328b of base 102 define with the cargo area 310 an open cavity having an opening directed upwardly. It will be appreciated that the pair of longer base sidewalls 326a, 326b may have an upwardly extending portion located at the middle which provides additional support for longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b.

In an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the length l_i of the longer parallel longitudinal sides 300a, 300b is longer than the length Si of the shorter parallel longitudinal sides 302a, 302b. In another embodiment, the length of the longer parallel longitudinal sides 300a, 300b is shorter than the length Si of the shorter parallel longitudinal sides 302a, 302b. In yet another embodiment, the length l_i of the longer parallel longitudinal sides 300a, 300b is equal to the length Si of the shorter parallel longitudinal sides 302a, 302b, the base 102 thereby being generally square.

Turning to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the longer base sidewalls 326a, 326b of base 102 will now further be described in accordance with one embodiment. Since the longer base sidewalls 326a, 326b are mirror images of each other, only the longer base sidewall 326a will be described. The skilled addressee will appreciate that a similar description applies to the longer base sidewall 326b with appropriate modifications to account for the fact it is a mirror image of the longer base sidewall 326a, if applicable. The longer base sidewall 326a of base 102 extends between the corners

308b, 308c along the full length (i.e. the length of the longer parallel longitudinal side 300a on the upper face 306 of base 102, as illustrated in FIG. 5. In one embodiment, the longer base sidewall 326a comprises on its inner face facing the cargo area 310 inside the cavity of base 102, the alignment notch supports 322b, 322c, which house the alignment notches 324b, 324c, the slotted hinge members

404b, 404c, the frame supports 406b, 406c, and the L-shaped central support 412a. Located at each extremity of the longer base sidewall 326a, at the corresponding corners 308b, 380c, the alignment notches 324b, 324c may fulfill a variety of functions. For example, the alignment notches 324b, 324c of a first collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 are adapted to be received in a corresponding socket, not shown, located on the bottom face of corner foot members 312b, 312c of a second collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 stacked over the first collapsible storage and transportation unit 100. The alignment notches 324b, 324c are also adapted to be received in a corresponding notch-receiving sockets 720a, 720b of corresponding longer wall panel supporting frame 104a to maintain same in an upstanding position, e.g. while the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 is in a uncollapsed configuration.

In one embodiment, the alignment notch supports 322b, 322d of longer base sidewall 326a further comprises the slotted hinge members 404b, 404c, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The slotted hinge members 404b, 404c include corresponding vertical openings 330b and 330c, which exposed their openings in opposing direction along the longer peripheral plate 400a. More particularly, each of the vertical openings 330b and 330c of slotted hinge members 404b, 404c is elongated and extends vertically (i.e. parallel to the longer base sidewalls 326a) along the mutually opposing faces of the alignment notch supports 322b, 322c. This configuration enables the slotted hinge members 404b, 404c of base 102 to connect corresponding slotted hinge members 800a, 800b of longer wall panel supporting frame 104a with the aid of a guiding cylindrical pin 1000a, 1000b such that the wall panel 1 10a may be pivoted relative to the base 102, as it will further be described.

For supporting the wall panel 1 10a in an upstanding position while the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 is in a uncollapsed configuration, and with reference to FIG. 4, the longer base sidewall 326a comprises on its inner face facing the cargo area 310 inside the cavity of base 102, the wall frame supports 406b, 406c. In one embodiment, the wall frame supports 406b, 406c generally define a U-shaped configuration with their concave portions facing and contacting the longer base sidewall 326a and projecting from the longer peripheral plate 400a in a direction generally perpendicularly relative to the base 102 (i.e. upwardly). The frame supports 406b, 406c are also adjacent to the corresponding alignment notch supports 322b, 322c of base 102, next to the vertical openings 330b, 330c of slotted hinge members 404b, 404c.

In another embodiment, the L-shaped central support 412a generally defines an inverted L-shaped configuration with its vertical projection projecting generally perpendicularly from the longer peripheral plate 400a (i.e. upwardly) and its connecting horizontal projection projecting horizontally to connect the longer base sidewall 326a. The L-shaped central support 412a is located at the centre of the longer base sidewall 326a, just above the U-shaped central support 318b. Alternatively, the L-shaped central support 412a may extend all the way across the longer base sidewall 326a.

Turning to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, the shorter base sidewalls 328a, 328b of base 102 will now further be described in accordance with one embodiment. Since the shorter base sidewalls 328a, 328b are mirror images of each other, only the shorter base sidewall 328a will be described. The skilled addressee will appreciate that a similar description applies to the shorter base sidewall 328b with appropriate modifications to account for the fact it is a mirror image of the shorter base sidewall 328a, if applicable. The shorter base sidewall 328a of base 102 extends between the corners

308a, 308b along the length S ₂ on the shorter parallel longitudinal side 302a on the upper face 306 of base 102, as illustrated in FIG. 6. In one embodiment, the shorter base sidewall 328a comprises the frame supports 408a, 408b on its inner face facing the cargo area 310 inside the cavity of base 102. As for the longer base sidewall 326a, the frame supports 408a, 408b of shorter base sidewall 328a also generally defines a U-shaped configuration with their concave portions facing and contacting the shorter base sidewall 328a and projecting from the shorter peripheral plate 402a in a direction generally perpendicularly relative to the base 102 (i.e. upwardly). Located at each extremity of the shorter base sidewall 328a, the frame supports 408a, 408b are also adjacent to the corresponding alignment notch supports 322a, 322b of longer base sidewalls 326a, 326b. More particularly, the frame supports 408a, 408b are generally arranged perpendicularly relative to the corresponding alignment notch 322a of longer base sidewall 326b and the corresponding alignment notch 322b of longer base sidewall 326a. In another embodiment where the collapsible storage and transportation unit

100 is collapsible, the frame supports 408a, 408b of shorter base sidewall 328a further comprises the slotted hinge members 410a, 410b, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The slotted hinge members 410a, 410b include the corresponding vertical openings 332a and 332b, which exposed their openings in opposing direction along the shorter peripheral plate 402a. More particularly, each of the vertical openings 332a and 332b of slotted hinge members 410a, 410b is elongated and extends vertically (i.e. parallel to the shorter base sidewalls 328a) along the mutually opposing faces of the frame supports 408a, 408b. This configuration enables the slotted hinge members 410a, 410b of base 102 to connect corresponding slotted hinge members 1200a, 1200b of shorter wall panel supporting frame 106a with the aid of guiding cylindrical pins, not shown, such that the wall panel 1 10d may be pivoted relative to the base 102, as it will further be described. The skilled addressee will appreciate that the frame supports 406a, 406b,

406c, 406d and the L-shaped central supports 412a, 412b of longer base sidewalls 326a, 326b as well as the frame supports 408a, 408b, 408c, 408d of shorter base sidewalls 328a, 328b are adapted to support the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b in an upstanding position (e.g. while the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 is in a uncollapsed configuration). It will further be appreciated that the frame supports 406a, 406b, 406c, 406d, 408a, 408b, 408c, 408d and the L-shaped central supports 412a, 412b of a first collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 in a uncollapsed configuration are further adapted to support the weight of a second collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 that stacked over the first collapsible storage and transportation unit 100.

In the present disclosure, the skilled addressee will also appreciate that the longer base sidewalls 326a, 326b (including all its structures and functions described herein) may be generally interchanged with the shorter base sidewalls 328a, 328b (including all its structures and functions described herein) to produce a base 102.

Referring to FIGS. 7 to 10, the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b will now be described in accordance with one embodiment. Since the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b are mirror images of each other, only the longer wall panel supporting frame 104a will be described. The skilled addressee will appreciate that a similar description applies to the longer wall panel supporting frame 104b with appropriate modifications to account for the fact it is a mirror image of the longer wall panel supporting frame 104a, if applicable. In one embodiment, and with reference to FIGS. 7 and 9, the longer wall panel supporting frame 104a generally defines a U-shaped frame 700 having a first inner face 900 directed towards the cargo area 302 when the wall panel supporting frame 104a is properly mounted on the base 102 and a second outer face 902 on the opposite face relative to the inner face 900. The longer wall panel supporting frame 104a comprises a horizontal cross-member 702 having a first and a second extremity 704a, 704b from which a corresponding first and second post members 706a, 706b project generally perpendicular therefrom (i.e. vertically) to define the U- shaped configuration of the U-shaped frame 700 along with an opened centre portion (i.e. inside the U-shape structure).

The post members 706, 706b of a given embodiment generally define a rectangular configuration and comprise a pair of outer sides 708a, 708b extending perpendicularly between a pair of inner sides 710a, 710b where both the outer sides 708a, 708b and the inner sides 710a, 710b are connected at the middle by horizontal elements 712a, 712b and at their most distant part, opposing to the cross member 702, by upper sides 714a, 714b. Taken together, the outer sides 708a, 708b, the inner sides 710a, 710b, the horizontal elements 712a, 712b, and the upper sides 714a, 714b define with a corresponding portion of the cross-member 702 four embossments 716 on the outer face 902 of longer wall panel supporting frame 104a. Located at each of the extremity 704a, 704b of horizontal cross-member 702 and contacting the outer sides 708a, 708b of post members 706a, 706b are a corresponding first and second hinge-receiving elements 718a, 718b with corresponding first and second slotted hinge members 800a, 800b secured thereto, as illustrated in FIG. 8. In one embodiment, each slotted hinge members 800a, 800b generally defines a L-shaped configuration with a first horizontal segment 802 connecting to the horizontal cross-member 702 of longer wall panel supporting frame 104a and a second vertical segment 804 projecting from each of the corresponding extremity 704a, 704b of horizontal cross-member 702, generally parallel thereof (i.e. downwardly). As illustrated in FIG. 10, each of the vertical segment 804 of slotted hinge members 800a, 800b is perforated at its most distant, free extremity to receive the guiding cylindrical pin 1000a, 1000b therein (only 1000b is shown). The slotted hinge member 800a of longer wall panel supporting frame 104a is adapted to engage the corresponding slotted hinge member 404b of longer base sidewall 326a, while the slotted hinge member 800b of longer wall panel supporting frame 104a is adapted to engage the corresponding slotted hinge member 404c of longer base sidewalls 326a. The slotted hinge members 800a, 800b and 404b, 404c are pivotally connected together with the aid of guiding cylindrical pin 1000a, 1000b, which pass through the perforation of each of the vertical segment 804 of slotted hinge members 800a, 800b to the vertical openings 330b, 330c of slotted hinge members 404b, 404c of base 102. The skilled addressee will appreciate that this configuration enables the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b to be hingedly and pivotally connected to the base 102. To assist maintaining the longer wall panel supporting frame 104a in an upstanding position on the base 102 (i.e. while the collapsible storage and transportation unit is in a uncollapsed configuration), a pair of notch-receiving sockets 720a, 720b is provided on the bottom face of each corresponding outer sides 708a, 708b of longer wall panel supporting frame 104a, just next to the corresponding hinge-receiving elements 718a, 718b, as in an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. The notch-receiving sockets 720a, 720b comprise corresponding rectangular openings 806a, 806b facing in a longitudinal direction relative to the outer sides 708a, 708b of longer wall panel supporting frame 104a. The rectangular openings 806a, 806b of notch-receiving sockets 720a, 720b are configured to receive the corresponding alignment notches 324b, 324c of base 102 therein. More particularly, the hinge-receiving elements 718a, 718b provide the appropriate offset required by the alignment notch supports 322b, 322c of longer base sidewall 326a such that the alignment notches 324b, 324c of longer base sidewalls 326a are received in the corresponding rectangular opening 806a, 806b of notch-receiving sockets 720a, 720 while the upstanding longer wall panel supporting frame 104a (e.g. in the uncollapsed configuration) is moved down towards the base 102 by the action of the slotted hinge members 800a, 800b and 404b, 404c.

Four frame locking elements 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d are provided on the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and the shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b, above each corresponding corners 308a, 308b, 308c, 308d of base 102, to lock the longer wall panel supporting frames 1 04a, 104b and the shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b together so that the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 is also locked in a uncollapsed configuration. The locking elements 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d includes corresponding locking hooks 722a, 722b, 722c, 722d of longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and corresponding hook-receiving sockets 1 1 12a, 1 1 12b, 1 1 12c, 1 1 12d of shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b (for clarity, only the locking hooks 722b, 722c and the hook-receiving sockets 1 1 12a, 1 1 12b are illustrated). In the case of the longer wall panel supporting frame 104a, the locking elements 108b, 108c comprise corresponding locking hooks 722b, 722c, which are located on the inner face 900 at the free, most distant end of corresponding post members 706a, 706b relative to the horizontal cross-member 702. Each of the locking hooks 722b, 722c defines a generally L-shaped configuration having a first horizontal segment 904 connected to the inner face 900 of post members 706a, 706b and a vertical segment 906 projecting parallel towards the upper sides 714a, 714b (i.e. upwardly). Each free extremity of the vertical segment 906 also includes an end 908 angled away from the post members 706a, 706b. As it will be described, the locking hooks 722b, 722c of longer wall panel supporting frame 104a are configured to engage corresponding hook-receiving socket 1 1 12b, 1 1 12c of upstanding shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b while the upstanding shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b are moved down towards the base 102 by the action of the slotted hinge members 400b, 400c and 800a, 800b. In this configuration, the end 908 facilitates physical coupling between the locking hooks 722a, 722b, 722c, 722d of longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and the hook-receiving sockets 1 1 12a, 1 1 12b, 1 1 12c, 1 1 12d of shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the longer wall panel supporting frame 104a also comprises rectangular cut holes 724a, 724b along the corresponding outer side 708a, 708b of post members 706a, 706b. The rectangular cut holes 724a, 724b located on the outer face 902 of longer wall panel supporting frame 104a are configured to receive the corresponding locking hooks 722a, 722d, not shown, located on the inner face 900 of longer wall panel supporting frame 104b. More particularly, and with reference to FIG. 10, the rectangular cut holes 724a, 724b are in a position relationship with the locking hooks 722a, 722d of longer wall panel supporting frame 104b to enable the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b of a collapsed collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 to fold completely flat without banking at angles. The skilled addressee will appreciate that this configuration enables a stable stacking of a collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 over another collapsed collapsible storage and transportation unit 100.

In one embodiment, and referring to FIG. 7, the inner edge of the opened centre portion of U-shaped frame 700 comprises a series of nine wall panel- receiving holes 726a, 726b, 726c, 726d, 726e, 726f, 726g, 726h, 726i. The wall panel-receiving holes 726a, 726b are located on the horizontal cross-member 702 (facing therefore upwardly), each adjacent to the corresponding inner sides 710a, 710b of post members 706a, 706b, and are configured to receive the corresponding wall panel pins 1316a, 1316b of wall panel 1 10a therein. The wall panel-receiving hole 726i, also located on the horizontal cross-member 702 (facing therefore upwardly), is also configured to receive the corresponding wall panel pin 1316i of wall panel 1 10a therein. The wall panel-receiving holes 726c, 726d, 726e, 726f, 726g, 726h are each located on the corresponding inner sides 710a, 710b (facing therefore horizontally), adjacent to the upper sides 714a, 714b of post members 706a, 706b, and are adapted to receive the corresponding wall panel pins 1316c, 1316d, 1316e, 1316f, 1316g. 1316h of wall panel 1 10a therein. As it will be described, the wall panel-receiving holes 726a, 726b, 726c, 726d, 726e, 726f, 726g, 726h, 726i are adapted to attach and secure the wall panels 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d to the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b.

In one embodiment, a pair of alignment notches 728a, 728b are further comprised on the upper sides 714a, 714b of post members 706a, 706b of longer wall panel supporting frame 104a for stacking a collapsible storage and transportation units 100 over another collapsible storage and transportation units 100 that is in a uncollapsed configuration (the all four alignment notches 728a, 728b, 728c, 728d are illustrated in FIGS. 1 , 2). The alignment notches 728a, 728b of longer wall panel supporting frame 104a are each aligned along the corresponding outer sides 708a, 708b and project away from the post members 706a, 706b (i.e. upwardly). As for the alignment notches 322a, 322b, 322c, 322d of base 102, the alignment notches 728a, 728b, 728c, 728d of longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b are adapted to receive a corresponding socket, not shown, located on the bottom face of the corresponding corner foot members 312a, 312b, 312c, 312d of another collapsible storage and transportation unit 100. Referring to FIGS. 1 1 , 12, and 13, the shorter wall supporting frames 106a,

106b will now be described in accordance with one embodiment. Since the shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b are mirror images of each other, only the shorter wall panel supporting frame 106a will be described. The skilled addressee will appreciate that a similar description applies to the shorter wall panel supporting frame 106b with appropriate modifications to account for the fact it is a mirror image of the shorter wall panel supporting frame 106a, if applicable.

In one embodiment, the shorter wall panel supporting frame 106a also generally defines a U-shaped configuration 1 100 having a first inner face 1 102 directed towards the cargo area 302 when the shorter wall panel supporting frame 106a is properly mounted on the base 102 and a second opposed outer face 1 104, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 1 and 12. The shorter wall panel supporting frame 106a comprises a horizontal cross-member 1 106 having a first and a second extremity 1 108a, 1 108b from which a corresponding first and second post members 1 1 10a,

1 1 10b project generally perpendicular therefrom (i.e. vertically) to define the U- shaped configuration of the U-shaped frame 1 100 along with an opened centre portion (i.e. inside the U-shape structure). Each of the post members 1 1 10a, 1 1 10b is generally U-shaped with their concave face facing the cargo area 310 inside the cavity of base 102. In one embodiment, the post members 1 1 10a, 1 1 10b of the shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b are generally narrower than corresponding post members 706a, 706b of the longer wall supporting frames 104a, 104b. Alternatively, the post members 1 1 10a, 1 1 10b of the shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b may generally be wider than corresponding post members 706a, 706b of the longer wall supporting frames 104a, 104b.

With reference to FIGS. 1 1 and 12, located at each of the extremity 1 108a, 1 108b of horizontal cross-member 1 106 is a corresponding first and second slotted hinge members 1200a, 1200b secured thereto. In one embodiment, each slotted hinge members 1200a, 1200b generally defines a Z-shaped configuration having a first horizontal segment 1202 connecting to the horizontal cross-member 1 106 of shorter wall supporting frame 106a, a second vertical segment 1204 projecting perpendicularly from the first extremity of the horizontal segment 1202a, along a corresponding post members 1 1 10a, 1 1 10b (i.e. upwardly), and a third vertical segment 1206 projecting perpendicularly from the second extremity of the horizontal segment 1202a in a direction opposed to the corresponding post members 1 1 10a, 1 1 10b (i.e. downwardly). Each of the vertical segment 1206 of slotted hinge members 1200a, 1200b is perforated at its most distant, free extremity to receive the guiding cylindrical pin therein, not shown. The slotted hinge member 1200a of shorter wall panel supporting frame 106a is adapted to engage the corresponding slotted hinge member 410a of shorter base sidewall 328a, while the slotted hinge member 1200b of shorter wall panel supporting frame 106a is adapted to engage the corresponding slotted hinge member 410b of shorter base sidewall 328a. The slotted hinge members 1200a, 1200b and 410a, 410b are pivotally connected together with the aid of guiding cylindrical pin, not shown, which pass through the perforation of each of the vertical segment 1206 of slotted hinge members 1200a, 1200b to the vertical openings 332a, 332b of slotted hinge members 410a, 410b. The skilled addressee will appreciate that this configuration enables the shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b to be hingedly and pivotally connected to the base 102.

To be maintained in an upstanding position on the base 102 (e.g. while the collapsible storage and transportation unit is in an uncollaped configuration) by the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b, the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b each comprises a pair of hook-receiving sockets 1 1 12a, 1 1 12b on the outer face 1 104 of post members 1 1 10a, 1 1 10b, as in an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9. The hook-receiving sockets 1 1 12a, 1 1 12b are configured to receive therein the corresponding locking hook 904a of upstanding longer wall panel supporting frame 104a and the corresponding locking hook, not shown, of upstanding longer wall panel supporting frame 104b while the upstanding shorter wall supporting frame 106a is moved down towards the base 102 by the action of the slotted hinge members 410a, 410b and 1200a, 1200b. It will be appreciated that the angled ends 910a, 910b of each of the vertical segments 908a, 908b facilitate the physical coupling between the locking hooks 904a, 904b of longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and the hook-receiving sockets 1 1 12a, 1 1 12b of shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b.

As described for the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, the frame locking elements 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d lock the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and the shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b together so that the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 is also locked in a uncollapsed configuration. In addition, the frame locking elements 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d maintain the shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b in an upstanding position.

In the case of the shorter wall panel supporting frame 106a, the locking elements 108b, 108c comprise corresponding hook-receiving sockets 1112a, 1112b, which are located on the inner face 1102 at the free, most distant end of corresponding post members 1110a, 1110b relative to the horizontal cross-member 1106. The hook-receiving sockets 1112a, 1112b of wall panel supporting frame 106a generally define U-shaped openings 1208a, 1208b opened towards the horizontal cross-member 1106, along the post members 1110a, 1110b, that are adapted to receive the corresponding locking hooks 722a, 722b of longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b.

In one embodiment, the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b comprise the hook-receiving sockets 1112a, 1112b, 1112c, 1112d, while the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b comprise the locking hooks 722a, 722b, 722c, 722d. Alternatively, the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b may comprise the locking hooks 722a, 722b, 722c, 722d, while the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b comprise may comprise the hook-receiving sockets 1112a, 1112b, 1112c, 1112d. The skilled addressee will appreciate that any kind of locking mechanism enabling a locking of the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b with the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b in a uncollapsed configuration may be used.

The inner edge of the opened centre portion of U-shaped frame 1100 also comprises a series of nine wall panel-receiving holes 1114a, 1114b, 1114c, 1114d, 1114e, 1114f, 1114g, 1114h, 1114i as in an embodiment illustrated in FIG.11. The wall panel-receiving holes 1114a, 1114b are located on the horizontal cross-member 1106 (facing therefore upwardly), adjacent to the corresponding post members 1 1 12a, 1 1 12b, and are configured to receive the corresponding wall panel pins 1316a, 1316b of wall panel 1 10a therein. The wall panel-receiving hole 1 1 14i, also located on the horizontal cross-member 1 106 (facing therefore upwardly), is also configured to receive the corresponding wall panel pin 1316i of wall panel 1 10a therein. The wall panel-receiving holes 726c, 726d, 726e, 726f, 726g, 726h are located along the corresponding post members 1 1 10a, 1 1 10b (facing therefore horizontally), adjacent to the corresponding post members 1 1 12a, 1 1 12b, and are adapted to receive the corresponding wall panel pins 1316c, 1316d, 1316e, 1316f, 1316g, 1316h of wall panel 1 10a therein. As it will be described, the wall panel- receiving holes 1 1 14a, 1 1 14b, 1 1 14c, 1 1 14d, 1 1 14e, 1 1 14f, 1 1 14g, 1 1 14h, 1 1 14i are adapted to attach and secure the wall panels 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d to the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b.

In the present disclosure, the skilled addressee will appreciate that the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b (including all its structures and functions described herein) may be interchanged with shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b (including all its structures and functions described herein). It will also be appreciated that various configurations of longer wall panel supporting frame 104a, 104b and various configurations of shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b may be used, including inverted U-shaped frames (i.e. frames having the free extremities of the post members directed towards the cross-member) and square frames (i.e. frames having a square configuration with a hollow centre receivable for the wall panel), for example.

The skilled addressee will further appreciate that while the slotted hinge members disclosed enable the folding of the shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b in a random order first, followed by the folding of the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b in a random order, all the slotted hinge members disclosed may also be adapted in size and shape to enable folding any of the shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b and any of the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b in any random order over the base 102. It will further be appreciated that any kind of hinges, including slotted hinges and L-shaped slotted hinge members, that enable the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b to be pivoted, either randomly or not, in order to collapse the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 may also be used.

Furthermore, while two slotted hinges are described for each of the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and each of the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b, the skilled addressee will appreciate that any number of slotted hinges may be used. It will also be appreciated that the slotted hinges may be attached or secured to the wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b, the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b, and the base 102 by a variety of ways, including but not limited to riveting, screwing, welding, and the likes.

Referring to FIGS. 13 to 15, the four wall panels 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d will now be described in accordance with one embodiment. Since the wall panels 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d may be interchangeably connected and secured between the corresponding post members 706a, 706b of longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and the corresponding post members 1 1 10a, 1 1 10b of shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b, only the wall panels 1 10a will be described. The skilled addressee will appreciate that a similar description applies to all the other three wall panels 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d considering appropriate modification, if applicable.

The wall panel 1 10a of a given embodiment generally defines a rectangular configuration and comprises a pair of longer parallel sides 1300a, 1300b extending perpendicularly between a pair of shorter parallel sides 1302a, 1302b, as well as inner face 1304, an opposed outer face 1306, and four corners 1308a, 1308b, 1308c, 1308d, as illustrated in FIG. 13. To add structural rigidity, five corrugation members 1310a, 1310b, 1310c, 131 Od, 1310e defining six embossments 1312a, 1312b, 1312c, 1312d, 131 Oe, 131 Of are also comprised on the outer face 1306 of wall panels 1 10a. The five corrugation members 1310a, 1310b, 1310c, 131 Od, 131 Oe of the wall panels 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d may also be modified to a design which has different patterns or configurations to accommodate for differently shaped cargo loads or client requirements and needs. For example, the current design of the wall panels 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d may be switched to a meshed pattern consisting of several overlapping or crossing members which form a grid or cage, with or without a back panel exposing the cargo load inside. Similarly, these members may or may not have the same orientation and dimensions as one another. The skilled addressee will further appreciate that such modified design for the wall panels 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d will be mountable onto the wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b, 106a, 106b in the same fashion as originally displayed. Additionally, if required by the client, such modified design for the wall panels 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d may comprise of an inward extension or jig which extends to the inside of the cargo area. Such an inward extension may comprise of a racking system used for carrying specific cargo loads which may be regularly or irregularly shaped with respect to the cargo area. The corrugation members 1310a, 1310b, 1310c, 131 Od, 1310e extend between the longer parallel sides 1300a, 1300b, parallel to the shorter parallel sides 1302a, 1302b, and are generally U-shaped with their concave faces facing the cargo area 310 inside the cavity of base 102. Shorter parallel sides 1302a, 1302b and five corrugation members 1310a, 1310b, 1310c, 131 Od, 1310e may or may not overlap the front and back faces of the pair of longer parallel sides 1300a, 1300b. Also present on the outer face 1308 are a pair of horizontal cross-members 1314a, 1314b extending between the corresponding corrugation members 1310a, 1310b and 131 Od, 1310e. Such pair of flat horizontal cross-members 1314a and 1314b may also be placed higher up along the wall panels 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d along with having an inwardly curved orientation, forming a handle.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the corrugation members 1310a, 1310b, 1310c, 131 Od, 1310e are spaced apart from each other by the same distance. The corrugation members 1310a, 1310e are also spaced apart from the corresponding shorter parallel sides 1302a, 1302b by a same distance, which is different from the distance separating each of the corrugation members 1310a, 1310b, 1310c, 131 Od, 1310e. Alternatively, the distance separating each of the corrugation members 1310a, 1310b, 1310c, 131 Od, 1310e as well as the distance separating the corrugation members 1312a, 1312e from the corresponding shorter parallel sides 1302a, 1302b may be the same or different.

On its outer periphery, and still referring to FIG. 13, the wall panel 1 10a also includes a series of nine wall panel pins 1316a, 1316b, 1316c, 1316d, 1316e, 1316f, 1316g, 1316h, 1316i adapted to engage corresponding wall panel-receiving holes

726a, 726b, 726c, 726d, 726e, 726f, 726g, 726h, 726i of longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and wall panel-receiving holes 1 1 14a, 1 1 14b, 1 1 14c, 1 1 14d, 1 1 14e, 1 1 14f, 1 1 14g, 1 1 14h, 1 1 14i of shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b. The wall panel pins 1316a, 1316b are located at the corresponding corners 1308c, 1308d of wall panel 1 10a where they project perpendicularly from the corresponding longer parallel side 1300b (i.e. downwardly) and are adapted to engage the corresponding wall panel-receiving holes 726a, 726b of longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and the corresponding wall panel-receiving holes 1 1 14a, 1 1 14b of shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b. In addition, the wall panel pin 1316i is located in between wall panel pins 1316a, 1316b of wall panel 1 10a where it projects perpendicularly from the corresponding longer parallel side 1300b (i.e. downwardly) and is adapted to engage the corresponding wall panel receiving hole 726i of longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and the corresponding wall panel-receiving hole 1 1 14i of shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b. The wall panel pins 1316c, 1316d are located at the corresponding corners 1308a, 1308b where they project perpendicularly from the corresponding shorter longitudinal sides 1302a, 1302b (i.e. sidewardly), and are adapted to engage the corresponding wall panel-receiving holes 726c, 726d of longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and the corresponding wall panel-receiving holes 1 1 14c, 1 1 14d of shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b. The skilled addressee will appreciate that the wall panel pins 1316a, 1316b, 1316c, 1316d, 1316e, 1316f, 1316g, 1316h, 1316i are adapted to attach the wall panels 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d to the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and to the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b. Wall panel pins 1316a, 1316b, 1316e, 1316f, 1316g, 1316h, 1316i may similarly be placed at different locations along the members 1300b, 1302a, 1302b of the wall panels 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d in more or less quantities if needed. Wall panel pins 1316a, 1316b, 1316e, 1316f, 1316g, 1316h, 1316i may also be changed from a circular cross-section to rectangular, tapered one.

To be secured to the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and to the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b, the wall panel 1 10a further comprises a pair of spring-loaded securing handles 1318a, 1318b accessible from the outer face 1306 and located at the corresponding corners 1308a, 1308b, as in an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13. Each of the spring-loaded securing handles 1318a, 1318b generally defines a L-shaped configuration having a first horizontal segment 1320, which includes the corresponding wall panel pins 1316c, 1316d at its free, most distant end, and a second vertical segment 1322, which includes a handle portion. The horizontal segment 1320 is generally parallel to the longer parallel side 1300a and is maintained in place by a housing bracket 1324 and by passing through corresponding perforations of shorter longitudinal sides 1302a, 1302b. The spring- loaded securing handles 1318a, 1318b may be replaced by a similarly shaped mechanism which does not contain a spring, if necessary.

In one embodiment, the horizontal segment 1320 includes a coil-spring 1326 located between the housing bracket 1324 and the corresponding shorter longitudinal sides 1302a, 1302b. In a rest state, the coil-spring 1326 biases the spring-loaded securing handles 1318a, 1318b such that the corresponding wall panel pins 1316c, 1316d are projecting perpendicularly from the corresponding shorter parallel sides 1302a, 1302b (i.e. sidewardly). Accordingly, a force opposed to the force of the spring-coil 1326 (e.g. by using the handle of vertical segment 1322) may be applied to the spring-loaded securing handles 1318a, 1318 to retract the wall panel pins 1316c, 1316d within the shorter longitudinal sides 1302a, 1302b, inside the wall panel 1 10a. In another embodiment, while the spring-loaded securing handles 1318a, 1318b are in the rest state, the vertical segment 1322 is secured in place by a clip 1328 located on the outer face 1306 of wall panel 1 10a, within the embossment created by the corrugation members 1310a, 1310e and the shorter parallel sides 1302a, 1302b. The skilled addressee will appreciate that the wall panel pins 1316c, 1316d are adapted to secure the wall panels 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d to the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and to the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b.

To attach and secure the wall panel 1 10a, the wall panel pins 1316c, 1316d of spring-loaded securing handles 1318a, 1318b are first retracted within the shorter longitudinal sides 1302a, 1302b. The wall panel 1 10a is then aligned with and moved down towards the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b or the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b to be received in the centre portion of U- shaped frames 700, 1 1 10 thereof. The wall panel pins 1316a, 1316b, 1316e, 1316f, 1316g, 1316h, 1316i therefore engage the corresponding wall panel-receiving holes 726a, 726b, 726e, 726f, 726g, 726h, 726i or the corresponding wall panel-receiving holes 1 1 14a, 1 1 14b, 1 1 14e, 1 1 14f , 1 1 14g, 1 1 14h, 1 1 14i to attach the wall panel 1 10a to the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b or to the shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b, respectively. When in place, the panel pins 1316c, 1316d are moved from their retracted positions to engage the corresponding wall panel-receiving holes 726c, 726d of longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b or the corresponding wall panel-receiving holes 1 1 14c, 1 1 14d of shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b by the action of the coil-spring 1326, thereby securing the wall panel 1 10a. Wall panel-receiving holes 726a, 726b, 726e, 726f, 726g, 726h, 726i, 1 1 14a, 1 1 14b, 1 1 14e, 1 114f , 1 1 14g, 1 1 14h, 1 1 14i may similarly be placed at different locations along the members 702, 710a, 710b of the longer wall panel supporting frame 104a, 104b and members 1 1 10a, 1 1 10b, 1 106 of shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b in more or less quantities as shown, if needed. Their circular orientation may also be changed to a slotted shape for accommodating a rectangular, tapered wall panel pin. Such a slotted shape may also extend to the front faces of wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b, 106a, 106b.

The skilled addressee will appreciate that any kind of wall panel pins and wall panel-receiving holes, including wall panel-receiving holes located on wall panel and wall panel pins located on supporting frames, may be used. It will also be appreciated that various kinds of spring-loaded securing pins, including removable securing pins and securing pins functioning by rocking at least one of their elements to lock a wall panel into a wall panel supporting frame, may also be used.

The wall panels 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d are all interchangeably connectable and securable to the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b, as illustrated in FIG. 14, and the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b, as illustrated in FIG. 15. In another embodiment, at least one of the wall panels 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d is interchangeably connectable and securable to at least one of the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b. In still another embodiment, with the exception of the at least one interchangeably connectable and securable wall panel, all the remaining wall panels are permanently fixed to the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b. In yet another embodiment, the wall panels 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d are neither interchangeably connectable nor securable to the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and to the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b such that the wall panels 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d such that they are all permanently fixed to the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100. The skilled addressee will appreciate that the wall panels 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d may be stackable over each other and may also be transportable independently of the storage and transportation unit 100.

Turning to FIGS. 16 to 20, the collapsing and uncollapsing of the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 will now be described in accordance with one embodiment.

In one embodiment, and referring to FIGS. 16 to 19, the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 may be collapsed by first folding any one of the shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b on over the base 102, and then folding any one of the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b over the shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b. Since the folding of each of the shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b is the same, only the folding of shorter wall panel supporting frame 106a will be described. The skilled addressee will appreciate that a similar description applies to the shorter wall panel supporting frame 106b with appropriate modifications, if applicable. The skilled addressee will further appreciate that the uncollapsing of the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 generally follows a reverse order taking into account appropriate modification, if applicable.

To fold it over the base 102 from its upstanding position, the shorter wall panel supporting frame 106a is pulled away from the base 102, in a direction opposed thereof (i.e. upwardly), by a displacement corresponding to the displacement of the vertical openings 332a, 332b of slotted hinge members 410a, 410b, as in one embodiment. By doing so, the displacement covered by the shorter wall panel supporting frame 106a provides the clearance required to disengage the hook-receiving sockets 1 1 12a, 1 1 12b from a corresponding locking hook 722b of longer wall panel supporting frame 104a and the corresponding locking hook 722a of longer wall panel supporting frame 104b. From this upward position, the shorter wall panel supporting frame 106a may then be pivoted relative to the base 102 to be folded over the cargo area 310 by the combined action of the slotted hinge members 410a, 410b of base 102, the slotted hinge members 1200a, 1200b of shorter wall panel supporting frame 106a, and the guiding cylindrical pins, not shown.

In another embodiment, the folding of each of the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b is also the same and only the folding of longer wall panel supporting frame 104a will be described. The skilled addressee will appreciate that a similar description applies to the longer wall panel supporting frame 104b with appropriate modifications, if applicable.

To fold it over the base 102 from its upstanding position, the longer wall panel supporting frame 104a is pulled away from the base 102, in a direction opposed thereof (i.e. upwardly), by a displacement corresponding to the displacement of the vertical openings 332b, 332c of slotted hinge members 404b, 404c, as in one embodiment. By doing so, the displacement covered by the longer wall panel supporting frame 104a provides a clearance required to disengage the notch receiving sockets 720a, 720 from the corresponding alignment notches 324b, 324c of base 102. From this upward position, the longer wall panel supporting frame 104a may then be pivoted relative to the base 102 to be folded over any one of the shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b by the combined action of the slotted hinge members 404b, 404c of base 102, the slotted hinge members 800a, 800b of longer wall panel supporting frame 104a, and the guiding cylindrical pins 1000a, 1000b. When folded, the locking hooks 722a, 722b, 722c, 722d of the first folded longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b are received within the corresponding free spaces created by the offset of the shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b and the shorter base sidewalls 328a, 328b, while the locking hooks 722a, 722b, 722c, 722d of the second folded longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b are received within the rectangular cut holes 724a, 724b of the first folded longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b.

In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20, the collapsed configuration of the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 is completely flat with the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b, the shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b, and the wall panels 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d being generally parallel to the base 102. Alternatively, the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 may fold in a configuration where the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and the shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b are not folded completely flat, but at an angled relative to the base 102 as long as the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 remains stackable. Still in the illustrated embodiment, the shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b is folded down first, followed by the folding of the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b to collapse the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100.

Referring to FIGS. 21 to 23, the stacking of at least two collapsible storage and transportation units 100 where any of the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 are in a collapsed and/or uncollapsed configuration(s) will now be described in accordance with one embodiment. In one embodiment, a first collapsible storage and transportation unit 2100 may be stacked over a second collapsible storage and transportation unit 2102 while both the first and second collapsible storage and transportation units 2100, 2102 are in a uncollapsed configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 21 . In this case, the alignment notches 728a, 728b, 728c, 728d of collapsible storage and transportation unit 2102 may assist in aligning the collapsible storage and transportation unit 2100 by engaging the corresponding sockets, not shown, located on the bottom face of corresponding corner foot members 312a, 312b, 312c, 312d of collapsible storage and transportation unit 2100 to prevent its lateral movement.

In another embodiment, a first collapsible storage and transportation unit 2200 may be stacked over a second collapsible storage and transportation unit 2202 while both the first and second collapsible storage and transportation units 2200, 2202 are in a collapsed configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 22. In this case, the alignment notches 324a, 324b, 324c, 324d of collapsible storage and transportation unit 2202 may assist in aligning the collapsible storage and transportation unit 2200 by engaging the corresponding sockets, not shown, located on the bottom face of corresponding corner foot members 312a, 312b, 312c, 312d of collapsible storage and transportation unit 2200 to prevent its lateral movement. The skilled addressee will appreciate that a collapsible storage and transportation unit in a collapsed configuration may be used like a traditional crate pallet and the likes, therefore exposing the goods and/or cargo to the outside environment.

In another embodiment, a first collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 may be stacked over a second collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 while any of the first and second collapsible storage and transportation units 100 is in a collapsed and/or uncollapsed configuration(s). Still in this embodiment, the first and second collapsible storage and transportation units may also be stacked over each other while at least one wall panels 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d is connected to any one of them. Alternatively, neither of the first and second collapsible storage and transportation units 100 have wall panels 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d connected thereto to facilitate access to cargo, therefore exposing the goods and/or cargo to the outside environment. This last configuration may be useful, e.g., when it is not desired to store and/or transport cargo in an enclosed space (e.g. plants, animals, livestock, etc.) or when a reduced weight collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 would be desirable.

In still another embodiment, the base 102 alone (without any other elements of a collapsible storage and transportation unit) or any alternative covering/capping element may be stacked over a collapsible storage and transportation unit to provide a ceiling to it. Although the present embodiments illustrated the stacking of two collapsible storage and transportation units 100 over each other, the skilled addressee will appreciate that any number of collapsible storage and transportation units 100, each in either of the collapsed or uncollapsed configuration, may also be stacked. The skilled addressee will appreciate that the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100, including all the elements thereof, may be manufactured from steel or any suitable metal alloys or polymers (e.g. plastics) by any appropriate manufacturing technique, including but not limited to forming, shaping, joining, and welding metal sheets.

Although the above description relates to specific preferred embodiments as presently contemplated by the inventor, the skilled addressee will appreciate that the invention in its broad aspect includes mechanical and functional equivalents of the elements described herein. CLAUSES

Clause 1 : A collapsible storage and transportation unit, comprising:

- a base including a cargo area surrounded by an edge having four ends;

- four wall panel supporting members connected to the edge of the base, each wall panel supporting member comprising at least a first post member and a second post member, the wall panel supporting members being pivotable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration, wherein in the folded configuration the wall panel supporting members are lying down over the base and the collapsible storage and transportation unit is in a collapsed configuration, wherein in the unfolded configuration the first post member of a first given wall panel supporting member and the second post member of a second given wall panel supporting member are both adjacent to each other and project together from each corresponding end of the base generally perpendicularly thereto; and

- four locking means, each locking means comprising a first locking member and a second locking member, the first locking member being located on a first post member of a first wall panel supporting member, the second locking member being located on a second post member of a second wall panel supporting member, wherein the physical coupling between the first locking member and the second locking member enables locking the first wall panel supporting member and the second wall panel supporting member in a uncollapsed configuration, wherein a first collapsible storage and transportation unit is stackable over a second collapsible storage and transportation unit.

Clause 2: The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to clause 1 , further comprising at least one wall panel, the at least one wall panel being connectable between two corresponding post members of any wall panel supporting member.

Clause 3: The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to any one of clauses 1 and 2, wherein the first collapsible storage and transportation unit in any one of the collapsed and the uncollapsed configuration is stackable over the second collapsible storage and transportation unit in any one of the collapsed and the uncollapsed configuration.

Clause 4: The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to clause 2, wherein the collapsible storage and transportation unit is transportable in presence or absence of the at least one wall panel. Clause 5: The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to clause 2, wherein the first collapsible storage and transportation unit and the second collapsible storage and transportation unit are stackable over each other in presence or absence of the at least one wall panel. Clause 6: The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to any one of clauses 2, 4, and 5, wherein the at least one wall panel is stackable over another wall panel.

Clause 7: The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to any one of clauses 2, 4 to 6, wherein the at least one wall panel is transportable while stacked over another wall panel.

Clause 8: The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to any one of clauses 1 to 7, wherein each of the four wall panel supporting members comprises a U-shaped frame. Clause 9: The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to any one of clauses 2, 4 to 7, wherein the at least one wall panel is received within the U- shaped frame.

Clause 10: The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein each of the four wall panel supporting members comprises at least one hinge.

Clause 1 1 : The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to clause 10, wherein the at least one hinge comprises a slotted hinge.

Clause 12: The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to any one of clauses 10 and 1 1 , wherein the slotted hinge is sized and shaped so that the four wall panel supporting members are collapsed in a random order.

Clause 13: The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to any one of clauses 1 to 13, wherein the first locking member comprises a male connector and the second locking member comprises a female connector sized and shaped to receive the male connector therein.

Clause 14: The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to clause 13, wherein the male connector physically couples the female connector socket by a vertical displacement of the at least one slotted hinge.

Clause 15: The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to any one of clauses 13 and 14, wherein the male connector comprises a hook and the female connector comprises a hook-receiving socket.