Plastic blow-molded articles with fold-up sides

摘要

The plastic blow-molded container of the present invention is illustrated in the form of a tool chest including a lower tool compartment that is initially blow molded in a flat condition with side walls being simultaneously molded with and joined to a bottom wall by integral flexible plastic hinges so that the side walls can be raised up into right angular relationship with the bottom wall. The simultaneous blow molding of the walls of the compartment in flat condition with the bottom wall permits the integral formation of drawer supporting ribs extending inwardly from the side walls and also permits the formation of a compartment having a greater depth than has been possible in known types of unitary one-piece blow-molded containers. Support ledges are integrally formed on the interior walls and adjacent the living hinges so that the side and rear walls are rigidly supported on the support ledges when the rear and side walls are raised up into right angular relationship with the bottom wall. The living hinges are not required to support any weight or force applied to the side and rear walls but merely act to maintain the side and rear walls in alignment above the peripheral edge portions of the bottom wall.