Patent US3838862A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3757935A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bathtub container
Assignee: Georgia-Pacific LLC
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Filing: 1972-02-04
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1992-02-04
Abstract
Abstract An improved bathtub shipping package for completely encircling the bathtub to protect the bathtub from rough handling and the elements of weather. The package comprises a wrap-around tube member having a pair of unique end caps fixedly attached to the tube member, the end caps having built in means for reinforcing the end caps from horizontal and vertical shock as well as built in protective pads for protecting the top end portions of the bathtub whenever the bathtub is placed within the package. The structural manufactured joint for the tube member is formed at the bottom rear of the tube which serves to cushion the rear legs of the bathtub whenever the bathtub is placed within the package. The end caps are positioned within the tube in combination with the structural manufactured joint so that longitudinal stapling of the end caps to the tube member is easily accomplished due to the resistance of the structural manufactured joint.
Inventors
- 👤 R Jacalone
- 👤 E Coons
- 👤 L Poggiali
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:14
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D5/00; B65D5/02; B65D5/12; B65D5/14; B65D85/00; B65D85/64; B65D2585/00; B65D2585/64; B65D2585/641; B65D2585/642; B65D2585/644; B65D2585/68; B65D2585/6802; B65D2585/6805; B65D2585/681
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
In a three-piece elongated bathtub shipping package of the type having a wrap-around tube member completely encircling the bathtub and fixedly attached to a pair of end caps, the tube member comprising a front panel, a bottom panel, a rear panel and a top panel respectively covering the front, bottom, rear and top of the bathtub, the improvement comprising: a. each end cap having formed thereon a hinged bottom flap; b. at least the back panel of the tube member having formed thereon, along its longitudinal edge, a second hinged tab; and c. a portion of the bottom flaps on the end caps being interlocked with the second hinged tab on the back panel so that a portion of the bottom flap is positioned between the second hinged tab and the bottom panel whenever the tube member is formed around the bathtub.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a three-piece elongated bathtub shipping package of the type having a wrap-around tube member completely encircling the bathtub and fixedly attached to a pair of end caps, the tube member comprising a front panel, a bottom panel, a rear panel and a top panel respectively covering the front, bottom, rear and top of the bathtub, the improvement comprising: a. each end cap having formed thereon a hinged bottom flap; b. at least the back panel of the tube member having formed thereon, along its longitudinal edge, a second hinged tab; and c. a portion of the bottom flaps on the end caps being interlocked with the second hinged tab on the back panel so that a portion of the bottom flap is positioned between the second hinged tab and the bottom panel whenever the tube member is formed around the bathtub.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1 further comprising the second hinged tab formed on the back panel being formed approximately 7 inches wide along the length thereof thereby serving as a cushion for the rear legs of the bathtub contained within the package.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The improvement as defined in claim 2 further comprising the bottom panel also having formed thereon a second hinged tab formed along the longitudinal edge of the bottom panel, said tab being fixedly attached to the back panel whenever the tube member is formed around the bathtub.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The improvement as defined in claim 3 further comprising the front panel, the bottom panel, the rear panel and the top panel each having formed on each end thereof, a first hinged tab fixedly attached to their respective end caps.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
233 words
In a three-piece elongated bathtub shipping package of the type comprising a wrap-around tube member completely encircling the bathtub and fixedly attached to a pair of end caps, the tube member having a front panel, a bottom panel, a rear panel and a top panel respectively covering the front, bottom, rear and top of the bathtub, the improvement comprising: a. the end caps having formed thereon paper means reinforcing the ends of the shipping container from horizontal and vertical forces, said paper means including a hinged bottom flap formed on the end caps; b. the bottom panel and the back panel both having formed along tHeir longitudinal sides a second hinged tab, said second hinged tabs being overlapped and fixedly attached in such a manner that the second hinged tab on the bottom panel is fixedly attached to the outside of the back panel and the second hinged tab on the back panel tab is fixedly attached to the inside of the bottom panel thereby forming a longitudinal structural joint for reinforcing the tube member from longitudinal shock; and c. a portion of the hinged bottom flaps on the end caps being interlocked with the second tab on the back panel so that a portion of the bottom flap is positioned between the second hinged tab on the back panel and the bottom panel whenever the tube member is formed around the bathtub.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
233 words
In a three-piece elongated bathtub shipping package of the type comprising a wrap-around tube member completely encircling the bathtub and fixedly attached to a pair of end caps, the tube member having a front panel, a bottom panel, a rear panel and a top panel respectively covering the front, bottom, rear and top of the bathtub, the improvement comprising: a. the end caps having formed thereon paper means reinforcing the ends of the shipping container from horizontal and vertical forces, said paper means including a hinged bottom flap formed on the end caps; b. the bottom panel and the back panel both having formed along tHeir longitudinal sides a second hinged tab, said second hinged tabs being overlapped and fixedly attached in such a manner that the second hinged tab on the bottom panel is fixedly attached to the outside of the back panel and the second hinged tab on the back panel tab is fixedly attached to the inside of the bottom panel thereby forming a longitudinal structural joint for reinforcing the tube member from longitudinal shock; and c. a portion of the hinged bottom flaps on the end caps being interlocked with the second tab on the back panel so that a portion of the bottom flap is positioned between the second hinged tab on the back panel and the bottom panel whenever the tube member is formed around the bathtub.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The improvement as defined in claim 5 further comprising the front panel, the bottom panel, the rear panel and the top panel each having formed thereon a plurality of first hinged tabs that are fixedly attached to the respective end caps of the tube member whenever the tube member is formed around the bathtub.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |