US3739939A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking stackable container
Assignee: Sherwood Medical Co
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Filing: 1971-03-10
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Granted: 1973-06-19
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Expires: 1991-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A stackable container for medicaments having continuous side walls tapering downwardly from an open end toward a bottom surface, with the side walls integrally containing positive locking means, assuring that similar containers can be locked securely to each other with a predetermined amount of force, while simultaneously maintaining uniform spacing between the side walls and bottoms of the nested containers.
Inventors
- 👤 E Koenig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:37
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D21/00; B65D21/02; B65D21/0233
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A stackable container having a continuous side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, said side wall tapering downward from an open end to an integral bottom surface, said side wall containing locking means, whereby upon insertion of a second similar container into said container, the two containers will positively lock to each other with a predetermined amount of force, said locking means comprising a protrusion extending inwardly on the inner surface of said side wall, and a mating recess extending inwardly in the outer surface of said wall in close proximity to the bottom surface, said mating recess being a wedge-shaped cut-out from said side wall, starting at the bottom surface and continuing upwardly and inwardly into said side wall for a short distance, whereby upon insertion of a second similar container into said container, the protrusion on said container will be forced into the mating recess of said second similar container thereby positively locking the two containers together.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A stackable container having a continuous side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, said side wall tapering downward from an open end to an integral bottom surface, said side wall containing locking means, whereby upon insertion of a second similar container into said container, the two containers will positively lock to each other with a predetermined amount of force, said locking means comprising a protrusion extending inwardly on the inner surface of said side wall, and a mating recess extending inwardly in the outer surface of said wall in close proximity to the bottom surface, said mating recess being a wedge-shaped cut-out from said side wall, starting at the bottom surface and continuing upwardly and inwardly into said side wall for a short distance, whereby upon insertion of a second similar container into said container, the protrusion on said container will be forced into the mating recess of said second similar container thereby positively locking the two containers together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A stackable container as recited in claim 1 wherein the locking of the two containers is accomplished by the frictional engagement of the protrusion of said container with the mating recess of said second similar container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A stackable container as recited in claim 1 wherein the protrusion is semi-circular and longitudinal in shape having its axis parallel to said bottom surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A stackable container as recited in claim 1 further comprising a flange contiguous with and extending around the periphery of the open end of said side wall, said flange extending parallel to said bottom surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A stackable container as recited in claim 1 wherein said wedge-shape cut-out is defined by a lower relatively rigid wall section and an upper relatively flexible wall section, said lower wall section being coplaner with the bottom wall of said container and said upper wall section being of decreased thickness relative to the remainder of said side wall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
A stackable container as recited in claim 5 wherein two protrusions and two recesses are provided on opposite side walls of said container, and the transverse dimension between the crests of opposed protrusions is less than the transverse dimension between the outer surfaces of opposed recesses, to thereby provide said positive locking of the two containers together.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3056232A
Cited
US3512677A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-18 | 1976-12-18 | 1977-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-18 | 1980-12-18 | 1981-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-18 | 1984-12-18 | 1985-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |