US3797727A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible container and assembly method therefor
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1972-03-10
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Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1992-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A collapsible container comprises a horizontally disposed pallet assembly having upstanding sidewalls releasably attached thereto by a plurality of perimetrically oriented barbs to define an open top storage compartment. Upon assembly, a flat bottom sheet is closely fitted within the sidewalls to urge them outwardly into locking engagement with the barbs. Reinforcement rails are also attached to top edges of the sidewalls by barbs.
Inventors
- 👤 B Downing
- 👤 E Johnson
- 👤 R Mcclain
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 07:38
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D19/00; B65D19/02; B65D19/06; B65D2519/00; B65D2519/00004; B65D2519/00009; B65D2519/00014; B65D2519/00024; B65D2519/00029; B65D2519/00049; B65D2519/00059; B65D2519/00064; B65D2519/00154; B65D2519/00159; B65D2519/00164; B65D2519/00169; B65D2519/00189; B65D2519/00194; B65D2519/00258; B65D2519/00313; B65D2519/00328; B65D2519/00333; B65D2519/00492; B65D2519/00502; B65D2519/00547; B65D2519/00577; B65D2519/00582; B65D2519/00587; B65D2519/00592; B65D2519/00597; B65D2519/00616; B65D2519/00621; B65D2519/00636; B65D2519/00641; B65D2519/00646; B65D2519/00651; B65D2519/00706; B65D2519/00711; B65D2519/00736; B65D2519/00865; B65D2519/00875; B65D2519/0091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A container comprising a horizontally disposed base, an upstanding sleeve, formed by contiguous sidewalls, positioned on said base to define an open top compartment therewith, locking means formed around said base releasably connecting lower portions of said sleeve to said base and retention means positioned within said compartment for urging said sidewalls outwardly into expanded, locked engagement with said locking means and to prevent lateral movement of said sidewalls relative to said base.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
A container comprising a horizontally disposed base, an upstanding sleeve, formed by contiguous sidewalls, positioned on said base to define an open top compartment therewith, locking means formed around said base releasably connecting lower portions of said sleeve to said base and retention means positioned within said compartment for urging said sidewalls outwardly into expanded, locked engagement with said locking means and to prevent lateral movement of said sidewalls relative to said base.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said sleeve comprises a corrugated paperboard material and wherein said sidewalls are hingedly connected together at their upstanding edges to form a collapsible sleeve foldable between a substantially flat, stored condition and an expanded condition forming said compartment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said base comprises restraining means formed therearound for preventing said sidewalls from moving outwardly relative to said base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The container of claim 3 wherein said restraining means comprises a flange extending upwardly from marginal edges of said base, said sidewalls are positioned in telescopic and abutting relationship within said flange and wherein said locking means are formed on said flange.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The container of claim 4 wherein said locking means comprises a plurality of pointed barbs formed on said flange to point generally downwardly into penetrating relationship with said sidewalls.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein said flange is rectangular and wherein the barbs formed on one side of said flange are laterally spaced in offset relationship with respect to the barbs formed on an opposite side of said flange.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said retention means comprises a separable, flat bottom sheet configured to substantially conform with a horizontal cross section of said compartment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
A collapsible container comprising, a pallet having a generally horizontally oriented top surface, an upwardly projecting perimetrically oriented flange attached to said pallet, a replaceable wall structure constructed of a fibreboard material having four vertically oriented sidewalls foldably enjoined and fitted within said flange to cooperate with said pallet fo form a material receiving compartment therewith, and a separable, substantially flat sheet closely fitted within the four sidewalls of the wall structure and positioned at the bottom thereof to hold the walls in container forming relation against the flange of said pallet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
92 words
A collapsible container comprising, a pallet having a generally horizontally oriented top surface, an upwardly projecting perimetrically oriented flange attached to said pallet, a replaceable wall structure constructed of a fibreboard material having four vertically oriented sidewalls foldably enjoined and fitted within said flange to cooperate with said pallet fo form a material receiving compartment therewith, and a separable, substantially flat sheet closely fitted within the four sidewalls of the wall structure and positioned at the bottom thereof to hold the walls in container forming relation against the flange of said pallet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The collapsible container of claim 8 including a multiplicity of barbs projecting inwardly from said flange in piercing relationship with at least one of said sidewalls to prevent inadvertent removal of the wall structure from said pallet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The collapsible container of claim 9 wherein said wall structure has reinforcement means encompassing the top edge of said wall structure to strengthen and protect said top edge against wear and abrasion normally associated with container usage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The collapsible container of claim 10 wherein said reinforcement means comprises a rail having a multiplicity oF barbed projections positioned in piercing relationship with underlying surface portions of said sidewalls.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The collapsible container of claim 11 wherein said sidewalls are hingedly connected together to permit said wall structure to be folded into a substantially flat, collapsed condition for storage purposes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
121 words
A container comprising a horizontally disposed base, an upstanding sleeve, formed by contiguous sidewalls, positioned on said base to define an open top compartment therewith, and locking means formed around said base releasably connecting lower portions of said sleeve to said base, restraining means on said base comprising a rectangular flange extending upwardly from marginal edges of said base, said sidewalls positioned in telescopic and abutting relationship within said flange, said locking means comprising a plurality of pointed barbs formed on said flange to point generally downwardly into penetrating relationship with said sidewalls, the barbs formed on one side of said flange being laterally spaced in offset relationship with respect to the barbs formed on an opposite side of said flange.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
121 words
A container comprising a horizontally disposed base, an upstanding sleeve, formed by contiguous sidewalls, positioned on said base to define an open top compartment therewith, and locking means formed around said base releasably connecting lower portions of said sleeve to said base, restraining means on said base comprising a rectangular flange extending upwardly from marginal edges of said base, said sidewalls positioned in telescopic and abutting relationship within said flange, said locking means comprising a plurality of pointed barbs formed on said flange to point generally downwardly into penetrating relationship with said sidewalls, the barbs formed on one side of said flange being laterally spaced in offset relationship with respect to the barbs formed on an opposite side of said flange.
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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) | 1977-03-18 | 1977-09-17 | 1978-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-18 | 1981-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-18 | 1985-09-17 | 1986-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |