US4020967A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible container
Assignee: THOMAS CONVEYOR COMPANY A CORP OF TEXAS
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Filing: 1975-09-15
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Granted: 1977-05-03
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Expires: 1995-09-15
Abstract
Abstract A collapsible container for storing and transporting bulk material, particularly baled rubber, and the like, comprising independent floor and wall members which can readily be moved between container forming and knockdown positions. In the container-forming positions of the wall members, a container of substantial capacity is formed and in the knock-down position of the walls, the container can be stocked so that several containers can be transported in a minimum transportation space. The floor is provided, adjacent its periphery, with an arcuate groove and the walls are provided at their bottom ends with complimentary shaped projections which pivotally interfit within the floor groove to facilitate quick and easy movement of the walls between upright container forming positions and horizontal knock-down positions. Releasable latches are provided at the upper corners of the container to connect adjacent walls together. The container has supporting legs which are constructed to facilitate stacking of a number of containers and to provide confined spaces between the stacked containers in which the side walls can be stored.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald D. Hammond
- 👤 Dwight E. Nichols
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:03
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D7/00; B65D7/12; B65D7/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
A collapsible container comprising a floor and side and end walls, each of said walls having at the lower edge thereof an irregularly shaped projection having a downwardly extending leg portion and an outwardly and upwardly curved portion at the lower end of said leg portion, said floor having at the outer edge thereof means forming a groove shaped complementary to the shape of said projection, said groove forming means comprising an upwardly extending flange and an arcuate bottom surface at the lower end of said flange extending outwardly and upwardly in a path substantially parallel to said curved portions of said wall projections, said arcuate surface terminating in a lip which overhangs said curved portions of said wall projections so that said wall projections are in interfitting relationship with said groove forming means to thereby form a pivotal connection between said walls and said floor limiting movement of said walls relative to said floor to up and down pivotal movement in all moved positions of said walls in which said lip overhangs said curved portions, each of said walls being pivotally movable outwardly and downwardly to a position in which the projection on the lower end thereof is out from under said lip thereby enabling removal of said wall from a pivotally connected relationship with said floor groove forming means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
221 words
A collapsible container comprising a floor and side and end walls, each of said walls having at the lower edge thereof an irregularly shaped projection having a downwardly extending leg portion and an outwardly and upwardly curved portion at the lower end of said leg portion, said floor having at the outer edge thereof means forming a groove shaped complementary to the shape of said projection, said groove forming means comprising an upwardly extending flange and an arcuate bottom surface at the lower end of said flange extending outwardly and upwardly in a path substantially parallel to said curved portions of said wall projections, said arcuate surface terminating in a lip which overhangs said curved portions of said wall projections so that said wall projections are in interfitting relationship with said groove forming means to thereby form a pivotal connection between said walls and said floor limiting movement of said walls relative to said floor to up and down pivotal movement in all moved positions of said walls in which said lip overhangs said curved portions, each of said walls being pivotally movable outwardly and downwardly to a position in which the projection on the lower end thereof is out from under said lip thereby enabling removal of said wall from a pivotally connected relationship with said floor groove forming means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A collapsible container according to claim 1 further including releasable latch means at the upper corners of said walls operable to secure perpendicularly adjacent walls of said container to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
102 words
A collapsible container according to claim 2 wherein said latch means comprises a body secured to one of said perpendicularly adjacent walls, a latch bar having a handle portion and an integral L-shape lock portion slidably and rotatably mounted on said body, means forming a slot in the other one of said perpendicularly adjacent walls aligned with said lock portion so that said lock portion is slidable into said slot, said handle being operable to rotate said lock portion to a position in which said lock portion projects out of said slot so as to preclude relative movement of said adjacent walls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
A collapsible bin according to claim 1 further including depending legs secured to said floor at the corners thereof, each of said legs having a pair of mutually perpendicular upright portions which are below and in substantial vertical alignment with the floor member grooves which intersect at one corner of said floor, and means connecting the lower ends of said leg portions at each corner of said container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
A collapsible container according to claim 1 wherein the height of said bin is less than the width thereof and said legs are higher than the combined thicknesses of said side and end walls, thereby enabling stacking of the side and end walls for a container on top of the floor thereof and below the floor of an identical container having the legs thereof supported on the floor of the container therebelow.
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) | 1980-05-02 | 1980-11-01 | 1981-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-02 | 1984-11-01 | 1985-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-02 | 1988-11-01 | 1989-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |