US4373633A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stackable can
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-09-14
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Granted: 1983-02-15
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Expires: 2001-09-14
Abstract
Abstract The invention pertains to containers capable of being vertically stacked, and in particular, relates to lids and bottoms for cans which facilitate stacking. The can lids and bottoms are identical, formed of a generally planar sheet metal body having an annular ridge extending from the body plane which projects beyond the plane of the can rolled edge. Alternate depressions and projections of complementary configuration and dimension are defined upon the ridge wherein the stacking of cans permits the recesses of one can to receive the projections of the adjacent can end, the interconnection of the recesses and projections resisting lateral can displacement, and producing an "indexed" interlocking between stacked cans.
Inventors
- 👤 Milton F. Lutz, Sr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:05
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D21/00; B65D21/02; B65D21/0209; B65D21/0217; B65D21/0223
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
An end for a can characterized by its ability to interrelate with a similar can end to facilitate the vertical stacking of cans comprising, in combination, a substantially flat sheet metal member having an axis, a general plane of configuration perpendicular to said axis, an inner side, an outer side and a periphery, an annular ridge defined on said member from the material thereof axially extending from said general plane on said outer side concentric to said member axis and radially spaced inwardly of said periphery, said ridge including a flat support surface substantially parallel to said member general plane comprising the maximum axial extension of said ridge from said member general plane, a plurality of axially extending rounded and concave recesses defined in said ridge support surface, a plurality of axially extending rounded and convex projections defined in said ridge support surface complementary in configuration and dimension to said recesses, said recesses and projections being at an equal radial distance from said member axis and of a diameter less than the radial dimension of said support surface and spaced from each other in non-intersecting relationship, said recesses and projections being angularly spaced about said member axis upon said ridge support surface in an alternating relationship, and an annular flat ring defined on said member within the general plane thereof intermediate said periphery and said ridge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
An end for a can characterized by its ability to interrelate with a similar can end to facilitate the vertical stacking of cans comprising, in combination, a substantially flat sheet metal member having an axis, a general plane of configuration perpendicular to said axis, an inner side, an outer side and a periphery, an annular ridge defined on said member from the material thereof axially extending from said general plane on said outer side concentric to said member axis and radially spaced inwardly of said periphery, said ridge including a flat support surface substantially parallel to said member general plane comprising the maximum axial extension of said ridge from said member general plane, a plurality of axially extending rounded and concave recesses defined in said ridge support surface, a plurality of axially extending rounded and convex projections defined in said ridge support surface complementary in configuration and dimension to said recesses, said recesses and projections being at an equal radial distance from said member axis and of a diameter less than the radial dimension of said support surface and spaced from each other in non-intersecting relationship, said recesses and projections being angularly spaced about said member axis upon said ridge support surface in an alternating relationship, and an annular flat ring defined on said member within the general plane thereof intermediate said periphery and said ridge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
236 words
In combination, a sheet metal container having a body portion having an end defined by a rolled edge, said rolled edge defining a terminal plane, a sheet metal lid of a general planar configuration having a periphery sealingly connected to said body end rolled edge, an axis, an outer side, and located inwardly of said edge terminal plane, an annular ridge defined on said lid from the material thereof concentric with said lid axis axially extending from the general plane of said lid in the direction of said lid outer side and radially spaced inwardly of said periphery, said ridge having a flat support surface substantially parallel to the general plane of said lid and axially located at least coincident with said body rolled edge terminal plane, a plurality of axially extending rounded and concave recesses defined in said ridge support surface, a plurality of axially extending rounded and convex projections defined in said ridge support surface complementary in configuration and dimension to said recesses, said recesses and projections being an equal radial distance from said lid axis and of a diameter less than the radial dimension of said support surface and being angularly spaced about said lid axis upon said ridge support surface in an alternating relationship and spaced from each other in non-intersecting relationship, and an annular flat ring defined on said lid within the general plane thereof intermediate said ridge and said periphery.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
236 words
In combination, a sheet metal container having a body portion having an end defined by a rolled edge, said rolled edge defining a terminal plane, a sheet metal lid of a general planar configuration having a periphery sealingly connected to said body end rolled edge, an axis, an outer side, and located inwardly of said edge terminal plane, an annular ridge defined on said lid from the material thereof concentric with said lid axis axially extending from the general plane of said lid in the direction of said lid outer side and radially spaced inwardly of said periphery, said ridge having a flat support surface substantially parallel to the general plane of said lid and axially located at least coincident with said body rolled edge terminal plane, a plurality of axially extending rounded and concave recesses defined in said ridge support surface, a plurality of axially extending rounded and convex projections defined in said ridge support surface complementary in configuration and dimension to said recesses, said recesses and projections being an equal radial distance from said lid axis and of a diameter less than the radial dimension of said support surface and being angularly spaced about said lid axis upon said ridge support surface in an alternating relationship and spaced from each other in non-intersecting relationship, and an annular flat ring defined on said lid within the general plane thereof intermediate said ridge and said periphery.
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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) | 1986-02-14 | 1986-08-16 | 1987-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-02-14 | 1990-08-16 | 1991-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-02-14 | 1994-08-16 | 1995-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |