US3900157A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tub file
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-03-19
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Granted: 1975-08-19
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Expires: 1994-03-19
Abstract
Abstract A structure manufactured from a single flat sheet of material which may be folded together into a relatively small, compact packaged configuration for transportation and storage, and assembled together into a convertible box-tub configuration. In the box configuration the structure is generally rectangular. In the tub configuration the sides are splayed outwardly so as to permit easy access to the contents in the interior of the structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Herman P Roth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:56
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D5/00; B65D5/0005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
A structure comprising: a generally flat, single unitary shaped panel having a plurality of subpanels defined therein, said subpanels including a generally rectangular base subpanel having two side edges and two end edges, a first side subpanel flexibly attached to one of said side edges, a second side subpanel flexibly attached to the second of said side edges, a first end subpanel flexibly attached to one of said end edges by a first flexible hinge, a second end subpanel flexibly attached to the second of said end edges by a second flexible hinge, each of said first and second side subpanels being generally rectangular and having two longitudinal edges and two transverse edges, four flap subpanels, each of said flap subpanels being flexibly attached to a said transverse edge, said transverse edges being generally colinear with said end edges, said subpanels being adapted to be folded together into a compact packaged configuration and assembled into a convertible box-tub configuration, said first and second flexible hinges being elongated to accommodate the folding of said first and second end subpanels over the combined thickness of one of said flap subpanels and one of said side subpanels, fastening means for holding said subpanels together in said convertible box-tub configuration, said fastening means permitting at least one of said side subpanels to move pivotally about the said side edge to which it is flexibly attached between a box configuration and a tub configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
239 words
A structure comprising: a generally flat, single unitary shaped panel having a plurality of subpanels defined therein, said subpanels including a generally rectangular base subpanel having two side edges and two end edges, a first side subpanel flexibly attached to one of said side edges, a second side subpanel flexibly attached to the second of said side edges, a first end subpanel flexibly attached to one of said end edges by a first flexible hinge, a second end subpanel flexibly attached to the second of said end edges by a second flexible hinge, each of said first and second side subpanels being generally rectangular and having two longitudinal edges and two transverse edges, four flap subpanels, each of said flap subpanels being flexibly attached to a said transverse edge, said transverse edges being generally colinear with said end edges, said subpanels being adapted to be folded together into a compact packaged configuration and assembled into a convertible box-tub configuration, said first and second flexible hinges being elongated to accommodate the folding of said first and second end subpanels over the combined thickness of one of said flap subpanels and one of said side subpanels, fastening means for holding said subpanels together in said convertible box-tub configuration, said fastening means permitting at least one of said side subpanels to move pivotally about the said side edge to which it is flexibly attached between a box configuration and a tub configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A structure of claim 1 wherein the generally flat, shaped panel is a single unitary sheet of corrugated board, the subpanels being defined by crease lines in said single unitary sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A structure of claim 1 wherein the generally flat, shaped panel is a single unitary sheet of synthetic plastic, the subpanels being defined by thin sections of said single unitary sheet, said thin sections forming the flexible attachments between said subpanels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A structure of claim 1 including a generally rectangular box top adapted to close a generally rectangular open top side defined by said structure in the box configuration and to completely contain said structure when said structure is in the compact packaged configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
A structure of claim 1 wherein the first side subpanel and the second side subpanel have about the same width, and the first end subpanel and the second end subpanel have about the same width, the width of said first and second side subpanels being less than the width of said first and second end subpanels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A structure of claim 1 wherein the width of the first and second side subpanels is less than the width of the generally rectangular base subpanel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
104 words
A structure of claim 1 including a pin element located in each of the first and second end subpanels, each of the four flap subpanels having a slot defined therein, a first said pin element being located in said first end subpanel and passing through both the slot defined in a first of said flap subpanels and the slot defined in a second of said flap subpanels, a second said pin element being located in said second end subpanel and passing through both the slot defined in a third of said flap subpanels and the slot defined in a fourth Of said flap subpanels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A convertible box-tub structure of claim 1 wherein the fastening means includes means for locking said structure in the box configuration.
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) | 1978-08-18 | 1979-02-17 | 1979-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-18 | 1983-02-17 | 1983-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-18 | 1987-02-17 | 1987-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |