US3872994A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible can
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-02-22
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1993-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A container structure having a continuous, cylindrical wall made from aluminum or other substantially thin metallic or plastic material capable of collapsing inwardly along the longitudinal axis of the container when pressure or force is applied to opposite ends of the container inwardly towards its center. The container includes a plurality of figures integrally formed in the wall such that the plurality comprise at least one first set of figures having a first edge which are disposed in successive relation to one another so as to be substantially equal to the circular circumference of the container. The plurality of figures further comprise at least one second set arranged in angular relation to said first set wherein said second set has a second edge arranged in successive relation to one another and equal substantially to the elliptical circumference of the container. The majority of the wall area is covered with adjacently and contiguously arranged figures oriented in the plurality of first and second sets such that the average person is capable of exerting an amount of force on the ends of the container sufficient to collapse it due to the folding of the wall primarily along each of the first edges of each of the figures in each of the plurality of first sets.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W Hyde
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:56
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D11/00; B65D11/20; B65D7/00; B65D7/42; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S215/00; Y10S215/90; Y10S220/00; Y10S220/906; Y10S220/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
262 words
A tcontainer structure of the type capable of collapsing along its longitudinal axis, said container comprising: a wall including a plurality of multi-edged figures arranged in predetermined aligned relation to one another, each of said figures comprising a first edge and a plurality of second edges, said first and second edges of each figure disposed relative to one another so as to define a substantially diamond shaped configuration, said plurality of figures comprising a plurality of sets of figures, each set comprising a predetermined number of said diamond shaped figures disposed in successive, end to end relation to one another thereby defining a substantially circular configuration, said plurality of sets arranged in substantially stacked, offset relation to the next adjacent set such that figures of adjacent sets disposed in offset relation to one another are also contiguous to one another along a common second edge of said contiguously positioned figures; said first edge of each figure in each set disposed to define a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said container structure and the totality of each set equal to the circular circumference of the container, said second edge of each figure and each set disposed in substantially co-linear relation to the correspondingly positioned second edge of adjacently positioned sets such that the totality of correspondingly positioned second edges are equal to the elliptical circumference of said container, whereby pressure applied inwardly along the longitudinal axis of said container wall will cause folding of said wall along the first and second edges of each figure and thereby collapse said container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
262 words
A tcontainer structure of the type capable of collapsing along its longitudinal axis, said container comprising: a wall including a plurality of multi-edged figures arranged in predetermined aligned relation to one another, each of said figures comprising a first edge and a plurality of second edges, said first and second edges of each figure disposed relative to one another so as to define a substantially diamond shaped configuration, said plurality of figures comprising a plurality of sets of figures, each set comprising a predetermined number of said diamond shaped figures disposed in successive, end to end relation to one another thereby defining a substantially circular configuration, said plurality of sets arranged in substantially stacked, offset relation to the next adjacent set such that figures of adjacent sets disposed in offset relation to one another are also contiguous to one another along a common second edge of said contiguously positioned figures; said first edge of each figure in each set disposed to define a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said container structure and the totality of each set equal to the circular circumference of the container, said second edge of each figure and each set disposed in substantially co-linear relation to the correspondingly positioned second edge of adjacently positioned sets such that the totality of correspondingly positioned second edges are equal to the elliptical circumference of said container, whereby pressure applied inwardly along the longitudinal axis of said container wall will cause folding of said wall along the first and second edges of each figure and thereby collapse said container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The container structure as in claim 1 wherein said first edge and said second edge of each figure are disposed in angular relation of from 10* to 15* relative to one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A container structure as in claim 1 wherein each of said first edges of each set of figures and each of said second correspondingly positioned second edges of said adjacently positioned sets of figures are substantially equal to the circular circumference and the elliptical circumference of said container respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A container structure as in claim 1 wherein each of said figures comprises two triangles arranged in non-coplanar relation to one another and having a common base defined by said first edge of said diamond shaped figure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A container structure as in claim 1 wherein each of said first edges of said first set of figures are substantially equally dimensioned to each other and said first set comprising seven such figures.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A container structure as in claim 1 wherein the wall surface of said container is continuous and is formed of aluminum material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A container structure as in claim 1 wherein the wall surface is continuous and formed of plastic material.
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) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |