US3756497A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mailing tube
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-12-13
•
Granted: 1973-09-04
•
Expires: 1991-12-13
Abstract
Abstract A foldable shipping container or mailing tube has a substantially triangular cross-section. At least one of the end panels of the container is hingeably connected to one of the side panels thereof, and is insertable into the open end of the assembled container with a pair of side flaps having indents formed therein which cooperate with an over-center acting locking tab formed in the other two side panels of the container and which locks the end panel into place by cooperative interference with the edges of the indents formed in the side flaps of the end panel.
Inventors
- 👤 J Stewart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:52
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D5/00; B65D5/02; B65D5/0254; B65D5/0227; B65D59/00; B65D59/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
255 words
In a foldable shipping container, which, when assembled, has a substantially triangular cross-section, with three substantially rectangular side panels, a first substantially triangular end panel and a second substantially triangular end panel; at least a first and a second of said side panels being substantially equal in size to each other; the improvement comprising: a. at least one of said end panels being hingeably attached at one edge to an end of the third of said side panels, and having side flaps extending from its other two edges; b. Said side flaps each having an inner end nearest said third side panel, and an outer end; c. each said outer end of said side flaps having a recess cut at the inner portion of its edge; d. a notch in the apex of said at least one end panel remote from the hingeable attachment of said end panel to said third side panel; and e. a slit across the apex of said container formed between said first and second side panels, at the end of said container contiguous said at least one hingeably attached end panel, and at a distance from said end not greater than the depth of the recesses formed in the outer ends of said side flaps; the length along each edge of said notch being at least equal to the length of the part of said slit cut into either of said first and second side panels, respectively; said slit thereby defining the inner edge of an over-centre acting locking tab.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
255 words
In a foldable shipping container, which, when assembled, has a substantially triangular cross-section, with three substantially rectangular side panels, a first substantially triangular end panel and a second substantially triangular end panel; at least a first and a second of said side panels being substantially equal in size to each other; the improvement comprising: a. at least one of said end panels being hingeably attached at one edge to an end of the third of said side panels, and having side flaps extending from its other two edges; b. Said side flaps each having an inner end nearest said third side panel, and an outer end; c. each said outer end of said side flaps having a recess cut at the inner portion of its edge; d. a notch in the apex of said at least one end panel remote from the hingeable attachment of said end panel to said third side panel; and e. a slit across the apex of said container formed between said first and second side panels, at the end of said container contiguous said at least one hingeably attached end panel, and at a distance from said end not greater than the depth of the recesses formed in the outer ends of said side flaps; the length along each edge of said notch being at least equal to the length of the part of said slit cut into either of said first and second side panels, respectively; said slit thereby defining the inner edge of an over-centre acting locking tab.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The foldable shipping container of claim 1 where the outer corner of each of said side flaps is rounded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The foldable shipping container of claim 2 where an extension of said first and second side panels beyond the end panel, when folded, is formed beyond said slit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The foldable shipping container of claim 3 where both end panels are hingeably attached to the ends of said third side panel, and each has side flaps and a notch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The shipping container of claim 4 where a fourth panel is secured to the edge of said third panel remote from said first and second panels, and underlies said second panel where the container is assembled.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The shipping container of claim 5 where at least one tab is formed in the outer edge of said second side panel, and where at least one slit is formed to accommodate said tab when said container is assembled.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The shipping container of claim 1 where said third side panel is substantially equal in size to said first and second side panels.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US2288739A
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US2985353A
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US3199765A
Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |