US3935962A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Container
Assignee: Standard Oil Co
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Filing: 1974-11-20
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Granted: 1976-02-03
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Expires: 1994-11-20
Abstract
Abstract Locking means for a deformable plastic container having a top and bottom, such as foamed plastic food containers, which provides a positive closure but which does not interfere with stacking of empty containers, said means comprising on one part (generally the top) a protruding edge or lip which can engage an opening in the second member (generally the bottom), said opening being located in an inwardly protruding surface in a sidewall.
Inventors
- 👤 John C. Schubert
- 👤 Steven Cyr
- 👤 Charles B. Case
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 05:40
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D43/00; B65D43/02; B65D43/0202; B65D43/0204; B65D43/021; B65D2543/00; B65D2543/00009; B65D2543/00018; B65D2543/00064; B65D2543/00074; B65D2543/00101; B65D2543/00259; B65D2543/00296; B65D2543/00342; B65D2543/00351; B65D2543/00444; B65D2543/00481; B65D2543/0049; B65D2543/00537; B65D2543/00546; B65D2543/00592; B65D2543/00601; B65D2543/00611; B65D2543/00666; B65D2543/00675; B65D2543/00694; B65D2543/00712; B65D2543/00722; B65D2543/00759; B65D2543/00787; B65D2543/00805
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A deformable container comprising first and second members; wherein said first member has a protruding edge or lip; wherein said second member has a generally flat base and a sidewall which is outwardly inclined; and wherein said second member has at least one inwardly protuding surface, located on the outwardly inclined sidewall, having a void space within which passes therethrough and is adapted to receive the protruding edge of the first member to effect a snap closure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A deformable container comprising first and second members; wherein said first member has a protruding edge or lip; wherein said second member has a generally flat base and a sidewall which is outwardly inclined; and wherein said second member has at least one inwardly protuding surface, located on the outwardly inclined sidewall, having a void space within which passes therethrough and is adapted to receive the protruding edge of the first member to effect a snap closure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The container in claim 1 wherein each inwardly protruding surface extends from the base of the second member to a point beyond the void space.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The container in claim 1 where each inwardly protruding surface extends from the base of the second member to the upper edge of the sidewall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The container in claim 3 where the inwardly protruding surface merges with the upper edge of the sidewall via a generally flat surface which is generally parallel to the base of the second member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The container in claim 4 wherein the inwardly protruding surface may be defined as a longitudinal segment of a parabolic cylinder, such that the intersection of the inwardly protruding surface with an imaginary plane parallel to the base results in a concave line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The container in claim 4 wherein the inwardly protruding surface may be defined as a longitudinal segment of a circular cylinder, such that the intersection of the inwardly protruding surface with an imaginary plane parallel to the base results in a concave line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The container in claim 6 wherein the radius of curvature of the inwardly protruding surface is at least 0.25 inches and not more than 12 inches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The container in claim 7 wherein the container is produced from a continuous sheet of foamed polystyrene.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The container in claim 8 wherein there is one inwardly protruding surface located on a sidewall opposite an integral hinge joining the first and second members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The container in claim 8 wherein there is at least one inwardly protruding surface on opposite sides of the container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The container in claim 8 wherein there is one inwardly protruding surface located in each corner of the container.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
74 words
A deformable container comprising first and second members; wherein said first member has a protruding edge or lip; wherein said second member has a generally flat base and a sidewall which is outwardly inclined; and wherein said second member has at least one inwardly protruding surface, located on the outwardly inclined sidewall, having a non-rectangular slot within, said slot adapted to accept the protruding edge of the first member to effect a snap closure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
74 words
A deformable container comprising first and second members; wherein said first member has a protruding edge or lip; wherein said second member has a generally flat base and a sidewall which is outwardly inclined; and wherein said second member has at least one inwardly protruding surface, located on the outwardly inclined sidewall, having a non-rectangular slot within, said slot adapted to accept the protruding edge of the first member to effect a snap closure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The container in claim 12 wherein the non-rectangular slot has a V-shape, where the apex of the V points generally toward the inside of the container.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The container in claim 12 wherein the non-rectangular slot is a concave slot.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
The container in claim 14 wherein the inwardly protruding surface extends from the edge of the sidewall of the second member to a point between the slot and the base; and wherein the inwardly protruding surface gradually merges with the sidewall in such a manner that no undercut is present.
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) | 1979-02-02 | 1979-08-04 | 1980-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-02-02 | 1983-08-04 | 1984-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-02-02 | 1987-08-04 | 1988-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |