US4387816A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapse resistant container
Assignee: Graham Packaging Plastic Products Inc
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Filing: 1982-01-18
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Granted: 1983-06-14
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Expires: 2002-01-18
Abstract
Abstract A freestanding unitary container fabricated from an organic thermoplastic material is disclosed which includes a neck portion terminating in a main body portion having a generally flat bottom portion. The main body portion includes opposed centrally located collapsible label panel areas having upstanding rim portions adjacent the margin of the centrally located label panel areas. A flexible hinge portion is disposed between the upstanding rim portions and the label panel portions and provides an area of flexion between the label panel areas and the rim portions. As a partial vacuum is formed in the interior of the container, the label panel areas are drawn inwardly. The flexible hinge portions flex to accommodate the change in the label panel areas and isolate the rim portions and adjoining container sidewall portions form structural distortion.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard L. Weckman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:09
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D1/00; B65D1/02; B65D1/0223; B65D79/00; B65D79/005; B65D79/008; B65D79/0084; B65D2203/00; B65D2203/02; B65D2501/00; B65D2501/0009; B65D2501/0081
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A unitary container made from an organic thermoplastic material comprising: an upstanding neck portion terminating in a finish portion defining an opening into said container; a pair of spaced apart sidewall panels connected to and depending downwardly from said neck portion; a bottom portion connected to said spaced apart sidewall panels and providing a base for said container; and a pair of spaced apart label panels connected to said neck portion, said sidewall panels and said bottom portion to thereby define an enclosed volumn for said container, each of said label panels including a centrally located collapsible label area, a peripherally located, upstanding rim portion and a flexible hinge portion inward of and adjacent to said upstanding rim portion and extending around the entire intersection of said upstanding rim portion and said collapsible label area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A unitary container made from an organic thermoplastic material comprising: an upstanding neck portion terminating in a finish portion defining an opening into said container; a pair of spaced apart sidewall panels connected to and depending downwardly from said neck portion; a bottom portion connected to said spaced apart sidewall panels and providing a base for said container; and a pair of spaced apart label panels connected to said neck portion, said sidewall panels and said bottom portion to thereby define an enclosed volumn for said container, each of said label panels including a centrally located collapsible label area, a peripherally located, upstanding rim portion and a flexible hinge portion inward of and adjacent to said upstanding rim portion and extending around the entire intersection of said upstanding rim portion and said collapsible label area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said label panel is generally rectangular.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention defined in claim 2 wherein said generally rectangular label panel is substantially flat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said label panel is generally elliptical with its major axis parallel to the major axis of the container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention defined in claim 4 wherein said generally elliptical label panel is laterally convex and longitudinally straight.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention defined in claim 5 wherein said lateral convexity has a maximum at the center of said label panel and a minimum at its junction with said flexible hinge portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention defined in claim 6 wherein said rim portion includes an uppermost portion adjacent said neck portion and lowermost portion adjacent said bottom portion and said uppermost and lowermost portions are disposed outwardly of said maximum curvature of said label panel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
126 words
A unitary container made from an organic thermoplastic material comprising: an upstanding neck portion terminating in a finish portion defining an opening into said container; a pair of spaced apart sidewall panels connected to and depending downwardly from said neck portion; a bottom portion connected to said spaced apart sidewall panels and providing a base for said container; and a pair of spaced apart label panels connected to said neck portion, said sidewall panels and said bottom portion to thereby define an enclosed volumn for said container each of said label panels including a centrally located collapsible label area, a pair of spaced apart upstanding rim portions and a flexible hinge portion blending each of said upstanding rim portions into said centrally located collapsible label area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
126 words
A unitary container made from an organic thermoplastic material comprising: an upstanding neck portion terminating in a finish portion defining an opening into said container; a pair of spaced apart sidewall panels connected to and depending downwardly from said neck portion; a bottom portion connected to said spaced apart sidewall panels and providing a base for said container; and a pair of spaced apart label panels connected to said neck portion, said sidewall panels and said bottom portion to thereby define an enclosed volumn for said container each of said label panels including a centrally located collapsible label area, a pair of spaced apart upstanding rim portions and a flexible hinge portion blending each of said upstanding rim portions into said centrally located collapsible label area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention defined in claim 8 wherein said label panel is generally rectangular.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention defined in claim 9 wherein said generally rectangular label panel is generally flat.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3536223A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-06-13 | 1986-12-13 | 1987-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-13 | 1990-12-13 | 1991-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-13 | 1994-12-13 | 1995-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |