US3841477A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Outer container for packing units
Assignee: Tetra Pak AB
•
Filing: 1972-06-27
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Granted: 1974-10-15
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Expires: 1992-06-27
Abstract
Abstract An outer container for holding a plurality of packages in close, tightly packed arrangement for transport or the like in which a folded U-shaped member of relatively rigid plastic material is provided for receiving the packages on the base portion thereof and at least one band or cord member is provided passing around the ends of the lateral side edges of said U-shaped member and along the outer surfaces thereof to hold the packages in close tightly packed relation. That portion of the container adjacent the fold lines between the base and sides thereof may be made of a more flexible plastic material than the remainder of the Ushaped member to facilitate folding and unfolding to a flat configuration for subsequent reuse. Also the ends of the side edges may be notched or recessed to receive the band or bands and thus prevent them from slipping off the container during use.
Inventors
- 👤 S Stark
- 👤 J Olsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:27
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D71/00; B65D71/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S206/00; Y10S206/819
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
A reusable outer container for a plurality of packages comprising a longitudinal substantially rectangular base member of a rigid flat plastic material supporting the packages, a pair of lateral substantially rectangular side elements of the same rigid material normally extending at substantial right angles from the longitudinal edges of said base member, the length and width of said base member being substantially the same as the length and width of said plurality of packages when in close, tightly packed relation, a pair of longitudinal strip members of a plastic material more flexible than the rigid material of said base member and said pairs of side elements, each strip member extending between and integrally connecting one side element to said base member at their adjacent edges to facilitate repeated folding therealong, and at least one band-like member extending around the ends of and over the outer surfaces of said pair of lateral side elements to close the open ends of the outer container and to hold said pair of lateral side elements against said packages thus forming a close, tightly packed arrangement of the plurality of packages in the outer container, the ends of said at least one band-like member being releasably affixed one to the other, said base member, said side elements and said strip members having substantially uniform, parallel inner and outer surfaces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
A reusable outer container for a plurality of packages comprising a longitudinal substantially rectangular base member of a rigid flat plastic material supporting the packages, a pair of lateral substantially rectangular side elements of the same rigid material normally extending at substantial right angles from the longitudinal edges of said base member, the length and width of said base member being substantially the same as the length and width of said plurality of packages when in close, tightly packed relation, a pair of longitudinal strip members of a plastic material more flexible than the rigid material of said base member and said pairs of side elements, each strip member extending between and integrally connecting one side element to said base member at their adjacent edges to facilitate repeated folding therealong, and at least one band-like member extending around the ends of and over the outer surfaces of said pair of lateral side elements to close the open ends of the outer container and to hold said pair of lateral side elements against said packages thus forming a close, tightly packed arrangement of the plurality of packages in the outer container, the ends of said at least one band-like member being releasably affixed one to the other, said base member, said side elements and said strip members having substantially uniform, parallel inner and outer surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
An outer container as claimed in claim 1 wherein each end of each lateral side element is provided with at least one recess for receiving said at least one band-like member to hold said at least one band-like member in proper position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
An outer container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said longitudinal strip members are composed of polypropylene and said base member and said lateral side elements are composed of polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An outer container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said longitudinal strip members are composed of styrene-butadiene elastomer and said base member and said lateral side elements are composed of polystyrene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An outer container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base member and said lateral side elements are composed of extruded foamed plastic material.
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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) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |