US3918604A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Convertible compartment container
Assignee: TEKKO CORP
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Filing: 1973-12-06
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Granted: 1975-11-11
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Expires: 1993-12-06
Abstract
Abstract A combination cargo compartment for liquid and granular materials comprising a container having upper and lower ends and side walls extending therebetween. A movable partition is permanently attached at its upper and lower edges to the upper and lower ends of the container so that the midsection of the partition may swing from one side of the container or the other side of the container responsive to loading pressures. Flexible end walls are also connected to the partition and are in the approximate shape of the cross-section of the container when fully extended for transporting liquids. The end walls are suitably creased to permit the complete infolding between the fixed side wall and the movable partition when the liquid load is drained from the container. Liquid and granular fill openings are provided at the upper end of the container and communicate with opposite sides of the partition so that liquid and/or granular materials may be introduced into the container on opposite sides of the partition. An unloading auger is provided at the lower end of the container for unloading the granular materials therefrom. A liquid unloading pipe is also provided at the lower end of the container for unloading the liquid therefrom. The container is adapted to be removably positioned on an open bed railroad car or an open bed truck. The container may also be a permanent part of either the railroad car or truck.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert H Kersten
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:22
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61D; B61D5/00; B61D7/00; B61D7/14; B61D7/32; B65; B65D; B65D88/00; B65D88/54; B65D88/58; B65D88/60; B65D88/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
A combination cargo compartment for liquid and granular materials, comprising, a container having upper and lower ends, a pair of spaced apart side walls and a pair of spaced apart end walls, a movable partition in said container secured to and extending between the upper and lower ends of said container so as to divide said container along its central axis forming a seal between the end walls and the partition, said container having liquid inlet and discharge openings formed therein in communication with one side of said partition, said container having granular inlet and discharge openings formed therein in communication with the other side of said partition, said partition being automatically movable from a first position adjacent one of said side walls to a second position adjacent the other of said side walls in response to loading pressure exerted thereon by one of the liquid or granular materials so that said container may accommodate liquid material therein when said partition is in its said first position and accommodate granular material therein when said partition is in its said second position, said movable partition also permitting said container to simultaneously accommodate both liquid and granular materials therein when said partition is in a position intermediate said first and second positions, said partition comprising rigid flat portions interconnected by flexible and pliable members whereby the partition has a mating configuration with said top, bottom and side walls when juxtaposed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
A combination cargo compartment for liquid and granular materials, comprising, a container having upper and lower ends, a pair of spaced apart side walls and a pair of spaced apart end walls, a movable partition in said container secured to and extending between the upper and lower ends of said container so as to divide said container along its central axis forming a seal between the end walls and the partition, said container having liquid inlet and discharge openings formed therein in communication with one side of said partition, said container having granular inlet and discharge openings formed therein in communication with the other side of said partition, said partition being automatically movable from a first position adjacent one of said side walls to a second position adjacent the other of said side walls in response to loading pressure exerted thereon by one of the liquid or granular materials so that said container may accommodate liquid material therein when said partition is in its said first position and accommodate granular material therein when said partition is in its said second position, said movable partition also permitting said container to simultaneously accommodate both liquid and granular materials therein when said partition is in a position intermediate said first and second positions, said partition comprising rigid flat portions interconnected by flexible and pliable members whereby the partition has a mating configuration with said top, bottom and side walls when juxtaposed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said partition includes a pair of end wall members which are movable therewith to engage the end walls of the container when liquid is introduced into the Container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said side walls of said container comprises a top wall portion, a side wall portion and a bottom wall portion, said partition comprising first, second and third rigid partition portions complementary to said top wall portion, side wall portion and said bottom wall portion respectively, said flexible and pliable members interconnecting said first, second and third rigid partition portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
175 words
A combination cargo compartment comprising, a container having upper and lower ends, a pair of spaced apart side walls and a pair of spaced apart end walls, a movable partition in said container secured to the end walls forming a seal between said end walls and the partition and extending between the upper and lower ends of said container to form laterally disposed compartments, said container having first material inlet and discharge openings formed therein in communication with one side of said partition, said container having second material inlet and discharge openings formed therein in communication with the other side of said partition, said partition being automatically movable from an intermediate position between said side walls towards a second position towards one of said side walls in response to loading pressure exerted thereon by material entering said container from one of said first and second inlet openings, said partition comprising rigid flat portions interconnected by flexible and pliable members whereby the partition has a mating configuration with said top, bottom and side walls when juxtaposed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
175 words
A combination cargo compartment comprising, a container having upper and lower ends, a pair of spaced apart side walls and a pair of spaced apart end walls, a movable partition in said container secured to the end walls forming a seal between said end walls and the partition and extending between the upper and lower ends of said container to form laterally disposed compartments, said container having first material inlet and discharge openings formed therein in communication with one side of said partition, said container having second material inlet and discharge openings formed therein in communication with the other side of said partition, said partition being automatically movable from an intermediate position between said side walls towards a second position towards one of said side walls in response to loading pressure exerted thereon by material entering said container from one of said first and second inlet openings, said partition comprising rigid flat portions interconnected by flexible and pliable members whereby the partition has a mating configuration with said top, bottom and side walls when juxtaposed.
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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) | 1978-11-10 | 1979-05-12 | 1979-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-10 | 1983-05-12 | 1983-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-10 | 1987-05-12 | 1987-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |