US3874546A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Convertible container-pallet
Assignee: Pinckney Molded Plastics Inc
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Filing: 1973-10-11
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1993-10-11
Abstract
Abstract An article of manufacture which may be converted from a container to a pallet, and vice versa. The article comprises a bottom wall and side and end walls hinged to the bottom wall which when upright provide a stackable container. The container may be converted to a pallet by swinging the side and end walls inwardly so that they extend substantially flush with the top surface of the bottom wall.
Inventors
- 👤 Ellsworth E Sanders
- 👤 Elsmer W Kreeger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:36
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D21/00; B65D21/02; B65D21/0209; B65D21/0213; B65D11/00; B65D11/18; B65D11/1833
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A container capable of being converted to a pallet, comprising a horizontal bottom wall, upright side walls pivoted to opposite sides of said bottom wall, upright end walls pivoted to opposite ends of said bottom wall, means releasably holding said side and end walls upright, the top surface of said bottom wall having relieved areas adjacent the sides and ends thereof, said container being converted to a pallet by swinging said side and end walls inwardly to positions in which they are received by said relieved areas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A container capable of being converted to a pallet, comprising a horizontal bottom wall, upright side walls pivoted to opposite sides of said bottom wall, upright end walls pivoted to opposite ends of said bottom wall, means releasably holding said side and end walls upright, the top surface of said bottom wall having relieved areas adjacent the sides and ends thereof, said container being converted to a pallet by swinging said side and end walls inwardly to positions in which they are received by said relieved areas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The container defined in claim 1, wherein said side and end walls when said container is converted to a pallet are disposed in horizontal positions substantially flush with or below the top surface of said bottom wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
The container defined in claim 2, wherein said side and end walls are formed with frame members defining relieved areas, and said side and end walls when swung inwardly to their horizontal positions have their frame members disposed in the relieved areas of said bottom wall, said top surface of said bottom wall having portions projecting into the relieved areas of said side and end walls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The container defined in claim 2, including pins on the ends of said end walls and arcuate slots in the ends of said side walls, said pins slidably engaging said slots.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The container defined in claim 4, wherein said means releasably holding said side and end walls upright includes interengaging parts thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The container defined in claim 5, wherein said mEans releasably holding said side and end walls upright includes detents adjacent said slots releasably retaining said pins near one end of said slots.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The container defined in claim 1, wherein said side walls and end walls are pivoted to said bottom wall by means providing snap hinge connections.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
105 words
The container defined in claim 7, wherein each hinge connection comprises a hinge knuckle in the form of an elongated open ended tubular member of generally cylindrical form but longitudinally slotted from end to end, the inner surface of said tubular member being cylindrical and more than 180* in arcuate extent from one edge of the slot to the other, and a hinge pin of a diameter greater than the width of said slot received in said hinge knuckle and being insertable laterally through said slot, said tubular member being formed of sufficiently flexible material to yield when said pin is inserted therein as aforesaid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The container defined in claim 8, including pins on the ends of said end walls and arcuate slots in the ends of said side walls, said pins slidably engaging said slots, means releasably holding said side and end walls upright, including detents on said side walls adjacent said slots releasably engageable with the ends of said end walls.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The container defined in claim 9, wherein the ends of said end walls when erect engage the inner surfaces of said side walls to hold the latter erect.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The container defined in claim 10, wherein said tubular member is formed of plastic.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The container defined in claim 11, wherein said slot provides a flaring entrance to pilot the insertion thereinto of said hinge pin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
69 words
A container capable of being converted to a pallet, comprising a horizontal wall, upright walls pivoted to opposite edges of said bottom wall, means releasably holding said upright walls upright, the top surface of said bottom wall having relieved areas adjacent said opposite edges thereof, said container being converted to a pallet by swinging said upright walls inwardly to positions in which they are received by said relieved areas.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
69 words
A container capable of being converted to a pallet, comprising a horizontal wall, upright walls pivoted to opposite edges of said bottom wall, means releasably holding said upright walls upright, the top surface of said bottom wall having relieved areas adjacent said opposite edges thereof, said container being converted to a pallet by swinging said upright walls inwardly to positions in which they are received by said relieved areas.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The container defined in claim 13, wherein said upright walls when said container is converted to a pallet are disposed in horizontal positions substantially flush with or below the top surface of said bottom wall.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The container defined in claim 13, wherein said upright walls are pivoted to said bottom wall by means providing snap hinge connections.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
105 words
The container defined in claim 15, wherein each hinge connection comprises a hinge knuckle in the form of an elongated open ended tubular member of generally cylindrical form but longitudinally slotted from end to end, the inner surface of said tubular member being cylindrical and more than 180* in arcuate extend from one edge of the slot to the other, and a hinge pin of a diameter greater than the width of said slot received in said hinge knuckle and being insertable laterally through said slot, said tubular member being formed of sufficiently flexible material to yield when said pin is inserted therein as aforesaid.
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) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |