US3921897A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible container and package
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-10-16
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Granted: 1975-11-25
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Expires: 1994-10-16
Abstract
Abstract A collapsible container comprising a collapsible outer tube, a liquid proof bag liner, and a removable closure is disclosed which is especially adapted for use in packaging and shipping in the collapsed condition a small quantity of a powdered material. The package may be expanded at the point of use and liquid may be added to and mixed with the powdered material within the bag lined container. The powder may be any material which is normally mixed with a liquid at the point of use to provide a usable product. Examples of such powders are beverage concentrates, glues, etc., which are normally mixed with water at the point of use. The collapsed packages are adapted for vertical stacking and banding with a handled carrier to provide a six pack, twelve pack, and package of other determined multiples. The outer tube is made collapsible by providing spaced longitudinal slits through the tube to form a plurality of panels which are connected to top and bottom end portions of the tube along top and bottom hinge lines. The panels each have intermediate hinge lines which permit the panels to collapse outwardly when axial force is applied to the ends of the tube. A slidable ring encompassing the tube is provided to overlie the intermediate hinges to prevent outward collapse of the panels when the package is expanded.
Inventors
- 👤 Androus D Noyes
- 👤 Robert N Marona
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:14
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D25/00; B65D25/14; B65D25/16; B65D21/00; B65D21/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A collapsible container comprising a tubular body member havIng top and bottom ends, a bottom wall closing said bottom end, a plurality of equally spaced longitudinal slits provided in said tubular body and dividing said tubular body member into a plurality of peripherally separated longitudinal panels, said slits terminating short of the ends of said tubular body member leaving peripherally continuous top and bottom end portions at the opposite ends of said body member, upper and lower transverse hinge means provided at the top and bottom of said panels for hingedly connecting said panels to said top and bottom end portions respectively intermediate hinge means provided intermediate said upper and lower transverse hinge means permitting said panels to collapse outwardly, a peripheral band encompassing said tubular body member and slidable longitudinally thereon, said band being slidable over said intermediate hinge means to prevent the outward collapse of said panels, and slidable from over said intermediate hinge means to a position over one of said end portions to permit collapse of said panels outwardly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A collapsible container comprising a tubular body member havIng top and bottom ends, a bottom wall closing said bottom end, a plurality of equally spaced longitudinal slits provided in said tubular body and dividing said tubular body member into a plurality of peripherally separated longitudinal panels, said slits terminating short of the ends of said tubular body member leaving peripherally continuous top and bottom end portions at the opposite ends of said body member, upper and lower transverse hinge means provided at the top and bottom of said panels for hingedly connecting said panels to said top and bottom end portions respectively intermediate hinge means provided intermediate said upper and lower transverse hinge means permitting said panels to collapse outwardly, a peripheral band encompassing said tubular body member and slidable longitudinally thereon, said band being slidable over said intermediate hinge means to prevent the outward collapse of said panels, and slidable from over said intermediate hinge means to a position over one of said end portions to permit collapse of said panels outwardly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The container according to claim 1 wherein said tubular body member is circular in cross-section throughout its length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The container according to claim 1 wherein said tubular body member is polygonal in cross-section throughout its length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The container according to claim 1 wherein curved apertures are provided at the opposite ends of said slits to prevent tearing of said body along the lines of said slits into said end portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The container according to claim 1 wherein said tubular body member is made of normally shape sustaining, bendable material, said upper and lower transverse hinge means being transverse score lines provided inside of said panels to permit said panels to bend outwardly relative to said top and bottom portions respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The container according to claim 5 wherein said intermediate hinge means in each panel comprises a pair of parallel, longitudinally spaced, intermediate score lines which divide each panel into top and bottom panel portions of equal length and an intermediate panel portion between said pair of intermediate score lines.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The container according to claim 6 wherein said tubular body member is made of paper.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The container according to claim 6 wherein said tubular body member is made of a synthetic resinous plastic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The container according to claim 1 together with a waterproof liner within said tubular body member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The container according to claim 9 wherein said liner is adhered to the inside of the tubular body member in the areas of said top and bottom end portions only.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The container according to claim 1 together with a bag lining said collapsible container, the bag having an open end, and being affixed adjacent its open end to the inside of said upper portion of said tubular body member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The container according to claim 11 together with an apertured end wall affixed to the top end of said tubular body member, and a removable closure for closing said apertured end wall.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The container according to claim 12 wherein said closure includes a stopper portion fitting inside of the aperture of said end wall and tightly sealing same.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
69 words
The container according to claim 13 wherein said bag is made of a heat sealable thermoplastic material and is heat sealed to the top portion of said tubular body member, and said end wall comprises a relatively rigid thermoplastic collar affixed inside of the tubular body at said top end and heat sealed to said bag, said collar having an inturned lip defining an aperture in said end wall.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The container according to claim 11 together with removable closure means for closing the top end of said tubular body member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A package comprising the container of claim 15 and a quantity of powdered material in the bottom bag, said closure means being positioned to close the top of said tubular body member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
A vertical stack of the Packages according to claim 16 each of said containers being collapsed, in superimposed relationship said ring of each container being slid over one end portion of said tubular body member and said panels being collapsed outwardly with the end portion pushed axially together.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stack according to claim 17 together with banding means for holding said collapsed containers in vertically stacked relationship.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
208 words
A collapsible container comprising a tubular body member having top and bottom ends, a plurality of equally spaced longitudinal slits provided in said tubular body and dividing said tubular body member into a plurality of peripherally separated longitudinal panels, said slits terminating short of the ends of said tubular body member leaving peripherally continuous top and bottom end portions at the opposite ends of said body member, upper and lower transverse hinge means provided at the top and bottom of said panels for hingedly connecting said panels to said top and bottom end portions respectively, intermediate hinge means provided intermediate said upper and lower transverse hinge means permitting said panels to collapse outwardly, a peripheral band emcompassing said tubular body member and slidable longitudinally thereon, said band being slidable over said intermediate hinge means to prevent the outward collapse of said panels, and slidable from over said intermediate hinge means to a position over one of said end portions to permit collapse of said panels outwardly, an open top bag positioned within said tubular body member and adhesively secured adjacent its open top inside said tubular body member near the top end thereof, and a removable closure means for closing the top end of said tubular body member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
208 words
A collapsible container comprising a tubular body member having top and bottom ends, a plurality of equally spaced longitudinal slits provided in said tubular body and dividing said tubular body member into a plurality of peripherally separated longitudinal panels, said slits terminating short of the ends of said tubular body member leaving peripherally continuous top and bottom end portions at the opposite ends of said body member, upper and lower transverse hinge means provided at the top and bottom of said panels for hingedly connecting said panels to said top and bottom end portions respectively, intermediate hinge means provided intermediate said upper and lower transverse hinge means permitting said panels to collapse outwardly, a peripheral band emcompassing said tubular body member and slidable longitudinally thereon, said band being slidable over said intermediate hinge means to prevent the outward collapse of said panels, and slidable from over said intermediate hinge means to a position over one of said end portions to permit collapse of said panels outwardly, an open top bag positioned within said tubular body member and adhesively secured adjacent its open top inside said tubular body member near the top end thereof, and a removable closure means for closing the top end of said tubular body member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The container according to claim 19 wherein said removable closure means has a stopper portion fitted tightly within said top end, and a rim portion surrounding said stopper portion engaged over the top end of said tubular body member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
The container according to claim 20 wherein said peripheral band is integrally joined to said closure rim portion by thin, easily broken connecting means for permitting said locking ring to be separated from said rim portion so that the locking ring may be slid along said tubular body member.
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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) | 1978-11-24 | 1979-05-26 | 1979-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-24 | 1983-05-26 | 1983-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-24 | 1987-05-26 | 1987-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |