US3760970A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Container
Assignee: MINICUBE SYSTEM Inc
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Filing: 1971-02-10
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Granted: 1973-09-25
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Expires: 1991-02-10
Abstract
Abstract A collapsible container provided with supporting means and selfaligning stacking means, and a locking device for locking the containers in stacked position with a mating container.
Inventors
- 👤 D Lutz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:30
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D9/00; B65D9/12; B65D21/00; B65D21/02; B65D21/0209; B65D21/0215
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
308 words
A collapsible container comprising a base, a cover, two side panels and front and rear panels connecting said side panels to form a generally rectantular container, said base having a first continuous upstanding rim extending along each side edge thereof, said cover having a second continuous downwardly extending rim along each side edge thereof, the lower and upper edges of each of the side panels and front and rear panels being snuggly received within the confines of said first and second rims when in assembled condition, locking members attached to said base at points adjacent the intermediate portion of the lower edge portions of each of said side panels and said rear panel, a locking element attached to each of said side panels and said rear panel for sliding interlocking engagement with its respective locking member, a cutout in the end of the lower edge portion of each of said side panels and said rear panel of a dimension to permit each of said panels to slide into and out of the locked position in the plane of said panels relative to said base and said upstanding rim without vertical movement, a pair of elongated angle irons attached to the vertical side edges of each of said front and rear panels along one leg of each of said angle irons, the front and rear panels each being of a horizontal length less than the horizontal lengths of the respective side edges of said base panel, the other leg of each of said angle irons being spaced from the vertical side edges of said front and rear panels to define a groove for the reception of the vertical side edges of the side panels, the locking members and locking elements being so positioned that the front panel must be removed before the side and rear panels can be removed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
308 words
A collapsible container comprising a base, a cover, two side panels and front and rear panels connecting said side panels to form a generally rectantular container, said base having a first continuous upstanding rim extending along each side edge thereof, said cover having a second continuous downwardly extending rim along each side edge thereof, the lower and upper edges of each of the side panels and front and rear panels being snuggly received within the confines of said first and second rims when in assembled condition, locking members attached to said base at points adjacent the intermediate portion of the lower edge portions of each of said side panels and said rear panel, a locking element attached to each of said side panels and said rear panel for sliding interlocking engagement with its respective locking member, a cutout in the end of the lower edge portion of each of said side panels and said rear panel of a dimension to permit each of said panels to slide into and out of the locked position in the plane of said panels relative to said base and said upstanding rim without vertical movement, a pair of elongated angle irons attached to the vertical side edges of each of said front and rear panels along one leg of each of said angle irons, the front and rear panels each being of a horizontal length less than the horizontal lengths of the respective side edges of said base panel, the other leg of each of said angle irons being spaced from the vertical side edges of said front and rear panels to define a groove for the reception of the vertical side edges of the side panels, the locking members and locking elements being so positioned that the front panel must be removed before the side and rear panels can be removed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said each of said locking members includes an upstanding flange defining a guideway with said Upstanding rim for the reception of the lower edge portions of the side and front and rear panels, whereby the panels are precluded from moving inwardly or outwardly of the container in directions transverse to the planes of the panels,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said cover has a front edge and a rear edge and is hinged intermediate its length along a line parallel to said front and rear panels, and including cooperating latch means on said front edge and said front panel, and separable connecting means on said rear edge and said rear panel whereby said cover can be completely removed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The container of claim 1 wherein the ends of said angle irons are spaced from the top and bottom edges of said front and rear panels a distance corresponding the distance of the projection of said first and second rims from said base and cover respectively, whereby said ends abut the top edges of said first and second rims.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The container of claim 1 wherein each of said angle irons include vertically spaced horizontally disposed webs spanning the legs of the angle iron interiorly thereof, and the vertical side edges of said side panels have slits for receiving said webs whereby said front and rear panels are precluded from vertical movement when said vertical side edges of said side panels are received in said grooves.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
110 words
The container of claim 1 wherein each of said locking elements includes a flat body portion affixed to said base, and a projection extending therefrom parallel to said rim and spaced from said base panel to define a locking slot with said base panels each of said locking elements includes a bodyportion affixed to the respective side or rear panel and a projection extending outwardly from the body adjacent the lower edge of said side or rear panel and adapted to be received in said locking slot by sliding movement of said locking slot by sliding movement of said panel in the plane of said panel relative to said base.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
174 words
A collapsible container comprising a base, a cover, two side panels and front and rear panels connecting said side panels to form a generally rectangular container, locking members attached to said base at points adjacent the lower edge portions of each of said side panels and said rear panel, a locking element attached to each of said side panels and said rear panel for interlocking engagement with its respective locking member by sliding each of said panels in its own plane relative to said base, second locking means between said front panel and the adjacent vertical side edges of said side panels for preventing relative vertical movement between said front panel and said side panels, said front panel being mounted on said base for swinging movement outwardly away from said side panel along a horizontal axis defined by the line of engagement between said front panel and said base, said side and rear panels being removable from said base only after said front panel has been swung outwardly and said second locking means disengaged.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
174 words
A collapsible container comprising a base, a cover, two side panels and front and rear panels connecting said side panels to form a generally rectangular container, locking members attached to said base at points adjacent the lower edge portions of each of said side panels and said rear panel, a locking element attached to each of said side panels and said rear panel for interlocking engagement with its respective locking member by sliding each of said panels in its own plane relative to said base, second locking means between said front panel and the adjacent vertical side edges of said side panels for preventing relative vertical movement between said front panel and said side panels, said front panel being mounted on said base for swinging movement outwardly away from said side panel along a horizontal axis defined by the line of engagement between said front panel and said base, said side and rear panels being removable from said base only after said front panel has been swung outwardly and said second locking means disengaged.
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) | 1976-09-24 | 1977-03-26 | 1977-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-24 | 1981-03-26 | 1981-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-24 | 1985-03-26 | 1985-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |