US3692201A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular container panel
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-09-23
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Granted: 1972-09-19
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Expires: 1990-09-23
Abstract
Abstract Modular panels adapted for interdigitated assembly to form containers of selectable size and shape. Each panel comprises a generally rectangular sheet of material of thickness t, with a square notch of size t by t in each corner. Between the corners, along each edge of the panel, are an odd number of alternating recesses and projections each of depth t. Preferably, the width of the end recess or end projection adjacent each corner is B, the width of all other recesses or projections being A 2B + t. A container may be assembled by inserting the projections of one panel within the recesses of one or more adjacent panels. Because of its unique configuration, any panel or combination of panels may be used interchangeably as top, bottom, side or end of the container.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald G Garduna
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:08
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D9/00; B65D9/12; B65D9/32; B65D9/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A planar, generally rectangular modular panel characterized by a void in each corner, each void including a square area, each side of said square area being equal in length to the thickness of said panel, and a plurality of alternating recesses and projections along each panel edge between said areas, the total number of recesses and projections along each edge being odd, the projections or recesses adjacent each area being of a first width, all other projections and recesses being of a second width equal to twice said first width plus said thickness, the pattern of recesses and projections along one edge being the inverse of the pattern along the opposite edge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A planar, generally rectangular modular panel characterized by a void in each corner, each void including a square area, each side of said square area being equal in length to the thickness of said panel, and a plurality of alternating recesses and projections along each panel edge between said areas, the total number of recesses and projections along each edge being odd, the projections or recesses adjacent each area being of a first width, all other projections and recesses being of a second width equal to twice said first width plus said thickness, the pattern of recesses and projections along one edge being the inverse of the pattern along the opposite edge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A panel as defined in claim 1 wherein the depth of each recess equals said thickness.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A plurality of panels each as defined in claim 1, said panels being assembled by interdigitation of said recesses and projections into a structure of selectable shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
A modular container panel comprising a generally rectangular, planar sheet of thickness t, having a notch in each corner, said notch including a square void of size t by t, an odd number of alternating recesses and projections along each edge between said voids, each recess along one edge being aligned with a projection of the same size along the opposite edge, the end recess or end projection adjacent each square void having a width B, all other recesses or projections having a width A 2B + t.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
A modular container panel comprising a generally rectangular, planar sheet of thickness t, having a notch in each corner, said notch including a square void of size t by t, an odd number of alternating recesses and projections along each edge between said voids, each recess along one edge being aligned with a projection of the same size along the opposite edge, the end recess or end projection adjacent each square void having a width B, all other recesses or projections having a width A 2B + t.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A panel as defined in claim 4 wherein the depth of each recess is t.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A container formed of a plurality of panels each as defined in claim 5, projections from one panel being disposed within recesses of an adjacent panel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
A container as defined in claim 6 wherein one edge of a first panel engages the aligned edges of two adjacent panels, a recess of width A in said one edge receiving the end projections of width B of both said adjacent panels and the common notch of width t therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A container as defined in claim 6 including axially aligned holes through each of the projections along and parallel to at least one edge of said panels and a connecting pin extending through the aligned holes of the interdigitated projections.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
93 words
A panel adapted for interdigitated assembly with one or more like panels, said panels being generally rectangular and having a notch in each corner, each notch comprising a square void, all four edges of said panel being crenelated by an odd number of alternating projections and recesses of like width except that the width of the end projection or end recess adjacent each void has a smaller width, said like width equaling the sum of the length of a corner void plus thE combined width of two end projections or two end recesses.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
93 words
A panel adapted for interdigitated assembly with one or more like panels, said panels being generally rectangular and having a notch in each corner, each notch comprising a square void, all four edges of said panel being crenelated by an odd number of alternating projections and recesses of like width except that the width of the end projection or end recess adjacent each void has a smaller width, said like width equaling the sum of the length of a corner void plus thE combined width of two end projections or two end recesses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A panel as defined in claim 9 wherein the length of each square void and the depth of each recess each equal the thickness of said panel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
At least two panels each as defined in claim 9, and connecter means for maintaining said two or more panels in interdigitated relationship.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
Interdigitated panels as defined in claim 11 wherein said connector means comprises a pin extending through axially aligned holes in the interdigitated projections of said panels.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
Interdigitated panels as defined in claim 12 wherein said connector means comprises a strap or a bracket.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
First and second panels each as defined in claim 9, said first panel further including a row of apertures or projections, along the middle thereof, adapted for interdigitated connection thereto of the edge projections or recesses of said second panel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-19 | 1976-03-20 | 1976-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-19 | 1980-03-20 | 1980-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-19 | 1984-03-20 | 1984-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |