US3779448A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interlocking seam structure
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-06-23
•
Granted: 1973-12-18
•
Expires: 1991-06-23
Abstract
Abstract A seam to join flat panels of paper board material edge to edge or edge to the plane of a second panel employing a pattern of alternately spaced openings and cuts which, when properly placed in an overlapping relationship, can be forced together by applying pressure to specific areas, thus causing an interlocking of said openings and cuts to achieve a permanent or easily opened connection depending upon the cut configuration.
Inventors
- 👤 William A Wootten
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:43
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D13/00; B65D13/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/19; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24273; Y10T428/24281; Y10T428/24289
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
369 words
A paper board box structure comprising a plurality of flat paperboard panels extending in planes which are angularly disposed on one another, said panels being interconnected to one another adjacent their respective edges to form the bottom, top, and sides of a self-supporting container which bounds an interior region adapted to removably receive articles of commerce, at least two of said panels being interconnected to one another by a separable seam adapted to be opened in zipper-like fashion by the application of separating forces to the edges of said panels adjacent to said seam thereby to provide access to the interior of said container, the first of said two paper board panels having a first boundary edge disposed adjacent said separable seam, a plurality of spaced first perforations in said first panel, said first perforations comprising like-dimensioned round perforations each of which is completely bounded by the material of said first panel, each of said first perforations being disposed along a line closely adjacent to and positionally set back from said first boundary edge, the second of said two paper board panels having a second boundary edge disposed in overlapping relation to said first boundary edge closely adjacent to said line of first perforations in said first panel, a plurality of round second perforations spaced from one another in said second panel, each of said second perforations being disposed closely adjacent to said second boundary edge and having a portion opening into said second boundary edge to form a plurality of separated tabs spAced from one another along said second edge between said second perforations, the spacing between said tabs being the same as the spacing between said first perforations, the distance between said first boundary edge and the nearest adjacent edge of each of said round first perforations being no greater than the diameter of each of said round second perforations, said plurality of tabs extending through said plurality of first perforations respectively to maintain said first and second boundary edges in mechanically engaged relation to one another due solely to the mechanical forces exerted between said plurality of tabs and said plurality of first perforations there to form said separable seam between said first and second panels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
369 words
A paper board box structure comprising a plurality of flat paperboard panels extending in planes which are angularly disposed on one another, said panels being interconnected to one another adjacent their respective edges to form the bottom, top, and sides of a self-supporting container which bounds an interior region adapted to removably receive articles of commerce, at least two of said panels being interconnected to one another by a separable seam adapted to be opened in zipper-like fashion by the application of separating forces to the edges of said panels adjacent to said seam thereby to provide access to the interior of said container, the first of said two paper board panels having a first boundary edge disposed adjacent said separable seam, a plurality of spaced first perforations in said first panel, said first perforations comprising like-dimensioned round perforations each of which is completely bounded by the material of said first panel, each of said first perforations being disposed along a line closely adjacent to and positionally set back from said first boundary edge, the second of said two paper board panels having a second boundary edge disposed in overlapping relation to said first boundary edge closely adjacent to said line of first perforations in said first panel, a plurality of round second perforations spaced from one another in said second panel, each of said second perforations being disposed closely adjacent to said second boundary edge and having a portion opening into said second boundary edge to form a plurality of separated tabs spAced from one another along said second edge between said second perforations, the spacing between said tabs being the same as the spacing between said first perforations, the distance between said first boundary edge and the nearest adjacent edge of each of said round first perforations being no greater than the diameter of each of said round second perforations, said plurality of tabs extending through said plurality of first perforations respectively to maintain said first and second boundary edges in mechanically engaged relation to one another due solely to the mechanical forces exerted between said plurality of tabs and said plurality of first perforations there to form said separable seam between said first and second panels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein a linear slot extends from the periphery of each of said round second perforations to said second boundary edge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The structure of claim 2 wherein each of said linear slots has a width substantially equal to the diameter of its associated round second perforation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The structure of claim 2 wherein each of said linear slots has a width which is less than the diameter of its associated second perforation, each linear slot being disposed substantially tangent to its associated perforation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The structure of claim 2 wherein the width of each said linear slots is less than the diameter of its associated second perforation, said slots, when extended, passing through the centers of their associated second perforations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said round first perforations have the same diameter as said round second perforations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein each of said tabs has a relatively wide portion disposed along said second boundary edge and merging into a narrower neck portion located interiorly of said second panel in spaced relation to said second boundary edge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein each of said tabs has at least a portion thereof which is wider, in a direction parallel to said second boundary edge, than the diameter of each of said first perforations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
The structure of claim 8 wherein each of said wider tab portions is disposed along said second boundary edge, each of said wider tab portions merging into a narrower neck portion having a width, in a direction parallel to said second boundary edge, which does not exceed the diameter of each of said first perforations.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said first and second panels are disposed at an angle to one another.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The structure of claim 10 wherein the boundary edge of at least one of said first and second panels is angularly disposed to the remainder of said panel to effect a parallel planar overlapping relation between said first and second boundary edges.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The structure of claim 10 wherein said angle is substantially 90*.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said spaced first perforations are separated from one another by a common spacing, said spacing second perforations being separatd from one another by the same common spacing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
243 words
A paper board structure comprising a first paper board panel having a first boundary edge, a plurality of spaced first perforations in said first panel, each of said first perforations being disposed along a line positionally set back from said first boundary edge, a second paper board panel having a second boundary edge disposed closely adjacent to said line of first perforations in said first panel, a plurality of spaced second perforations in said econd panel, each of said second perforations being disposed closely adjacent to said second boundary edge and having a portion opening into said second boundary edge to form a plurality of separated tabs spaced from one another along said second edge between said second perforations, the spacing between said tabs being the same as the spacing between said first perforations, said plurality of tabs extending through said plurality of first perforations respectively to form a seam between said first and second panels, said second panel extending at an angle to said first panel away from one side of said first panel, and a third panel having boundary edge tabs substantially identical in configuration to those formed along the second boundary edge of said second panel, said third panel extending at an angle to said first panel away from the other side of said first panel with the boundary edge tabs of said third panel extending through said plurality of first perforations from the other side of said first panel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
243 words
A paper board structure comprising a first paper board panel having a first boundary edge, a plurality of spaced first perforations in said first panel, each of said first perforations being disposed along a line positionally set back from said first boundary edge, a second paper board panel having a second boundary edge disposed closely adjacent to said line of first perforations in said first panel, a plurality of spaced second perforations in said econd panel, each of said second perforations being disposed closely adjacent to said second boundary edge and having a portion opening into said second boundary edge to form a plurality of separated tabs spaced from one another along said second edge between said second perforations, the spacing between said tabs being the same as the spacing between said first perforations, said plurality of tabs extending through said plurality of first perforations respectively to form a seam between said first and second panels, said second panel extending at an angle to said first panel away from one side of said first panel, and a third panel having boundary edge tabs substantially identical in configuration to those formed along the second boundary edge of said second panel, said third panel extending at an angle to said first panel away from the other side of said first panel with the boundary edge tabs of said third panel extending through said plurality of first perforations from the other side of said first panel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure of claim 14 wherein said second and third panels are substantially coplanar with one another and substantially orthogonal to said first panel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
272 words
A package structure comprising a plurality of flat paperboard sheets interconnected to one another to form a self-supporting container adapted to receive and support articles of commerce, at least two of said sheets being interconnected to one another solely by a mechanical interlocking seam, a first of said two sheets having a first boundary edge, said first sheet having a plurality of like-dimensioned, spaced first perforations disposed along a line relatively widely spaced from said first edge at an intermediate portion of said first sheet, each of said first perforations being completely bounded by the material of said first sheet, a second sheet extending at an angle to said first sheet and having a second boundary edge disposed closely adjacent to said intermediate portion of said first sheet, said second sheet having a plurality of second perforations therein spaced along a line disposed closely adjacent to said second boundary edge, said second boundary edge defining a plurality of evenly spaced slots opening into said plurality of second perforations respectively whereby the material of said second sheet between said slots and between said second perforations constitutes a plurality of tabs each of which tabs includes a portion of said second boundary edge, the spacing between said slots, in a direction parallel to said second edge, being greater than the maximum dimension of each of said first perforations in a direction parallel to said first boundary edge, each of said tabs extending through a perforation in said first sheet respectively to mechanically interlock said first and second sheets together with said second sheet extending angularly away from said intermediate portion of said first sheet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
272 words
A package structure comprising a plurality of flat paperboard sheets interconnected to one another to form a self-supporting container adapted to receive and support articles of commerce, at least two of said sheets being interconnected to one another solely by a mechanical interlocking seam, a first of said two sheets having a first boundary edge, said first sheet having a plurality of like-dimensioned, spaced first perforations disposed along a line relatively widely spaced from said first edge at an intermediate portion of said first sheet, each of said first perforations being completely bounded by the material of said first sheet, a second sheet extending at an angle to said first sheet and having a second boundary edge disposed closely adjacent to said intermediate portion of said first sheet, said second sheet having a plurality of second perforations therein spaced along a line disposed closely adjacent to said second boundary edge, said second boundary edge defining a plurality of evenly spaced slots opening into said plurality of second perforations respectively whereby the material of said second sheet between said slots and between said second perforations constitutes a plurality of tabs each of which tabs includes a portion of said second boundary edge, the spacing between said slots, in a direction parallel to said second edge, being greater than the maximum dimension of each of said first perforations in a direction parallel to said first boundary edge, each of said tabs extending through a perforation in said first sheet respectively to mechanically interlock said first and second sheets together with said second sheet extending angularly away from said intermediate portion of said first sheet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The structure of claim 16 wherein each of said plurality of first perforations is round.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The structure of claim 16 wherein each of said plurality of second perforations is round.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
The structure of claim 16 wherein each of said slots has a substantially uniform width throughout its extension between said second boundary edge and the second perforation associated therewith, the width of said slot being less than the dimension of its associated second perforation in a direction parallel to said second boundary edge.
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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) | 1976-12-17 | 1977-06-18 | 1977-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-17 | 1981-06-18 | 1981-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-17 | 1985-06-18 | 1985-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |