US4461395A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reusable, modular, knockdown container
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-07-20
•
Granted: 1984-07-24
•
Expires: 2001-07-20
Abstract
Abstract An improved, reusable, modular, knockdown container preserves delicate corners necessary for providing sufficient bearing surface and force direction to maintain the package erect by providing a clip-bearing plate associated with each corner to protect the corner during placement and removal of the clip from the container. Notched, interfitting panels are held erect by a resilient clip which fits into routed troughs on adjacent panels. A clip-receiving recess ensures that the clip does not extend upwardly from the surface of the panel. Access means through the clip allow insertion of a bar to wedge between the bearing plate and the clip in prying the clip from its position holding the adjacent panels. Thus the life of the panel is substantially increased.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Burnett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:29
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D11/00; B65D11/18; B65D11/1866; B65D11/1873; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/50; Y02W30/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
A reusable, modular, knockdown container having interchangeable panels, comprising: (a) a plurality of interchangeable panels, each panel having (i) notched edges including recessed steps capable of interfitting with adjacent panels to form a geometric solid, (ii) at least one clip-receiving recess on each edge of a panel capable of aligning with a respective recess on an adjacent panel in the solid and capable of receiving a clip recessed into the outer surfaces of adjacent panels, and (iii) a clip-retaining trough intersecting and associated with each clip-receiving recess and providing a bearing surface for holding a clip; (b) a resilient clip for each pair of clip-receiving recesses on adjacent panels, having (i) opposed tabs to bear against respective clip-retaining troughs on adjacent panels, and (ii) connecting means between the tabs resiliently holding the tabs, providing bearing force for the tabs, and capable of overlying the clip-receiving recess at a height which is, at most, flush with the surface of the panel; and (c) a clip-bearing plate associated with each clip-retaining trough to protect the corner between the recess and trough during placement and removal of the clip, wherein the clip-bearing plate is a metal angle which overlies the corner between the recess and trough, with a longer arm over the surface of the recess and a shorter arm over the bearing surface of the trough.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
A reusable, modular, knockdown container having interchangeable panels, comprising: (a) a plurality of interchangeable panels, each panel having (i) notched edges including recessed steps capable of interfitting with adjacent panels to form a geometric solid, (ii) at least one clip-receiving recess on each edge of a panel capable of aligning with a respective recess on an adjacent panel in the solid and capable of receiving a clip recessed into the outer surfaces of adjacent panels, and (iii) a clip-retaining trough intersecting and associated with each clip-receiving recess and providing a bearing surface for holding a clip; (b) a resilient clip for each pair of clip-receiving recesses on adjacent panels, having (i) opposed tabs to bear against respective clip-retaining troughs on adjacent panels, and (ii) connecting means between the tabs resiliently holding the tabs, providing bearing force for the tabs, and capable of overlying the clip-receiving recess at a height which is, at most, flush with the surface of the panel; and (c) a clip-bearing plate associated with each clip-retaining trough to protect the corner between the recess and trough during placement and removal of the clip, wherein the clip-bearing plate is a metal angle which overlies the corner between the recess and trough, with a longer arm over the surface of the recess and a shorter arm over the bearing surface of the trough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The container of claim 1 wherein the clip further includes an access in the connecting means to aid placement and removal of the clip by allowing levering against the clip-bearing plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The container of claim 2 wherein each panel further has a bevel on the edge associated with the clip-receiving recess.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The container of claim 1 wherein each panel further has a bevel on the edge associated with the clip-receiving recess.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The container of claim 4 wherein the connecting means for the clip includes a pair of generally planar ends arranged substantially perpendicular to each other and a central portion having a width substantially equal to the width of a clip-receiving recess and extending between the ends to intersect with the ends in obtuse angles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
The container of claim 4 wherein the connection means between the tabs overlies and substantially abuts the clip-bearing plate on a first panel, the bevel on the edge of the first panel, the bevel on the edge of the respective adjacent panel in the solid, and the clip-bearing plate on the adjacent panel to decrease the likelihood of inadvertent removal of the clip from the container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The container of claim 1 wherein the connecting means for the clip includes a pair of generally planar ends arranged substantially perpendicular to each other and a central portion having a width substantially equal to the width of a clip-receiving recess and extending between the ends to intersect with the ends in obtuse angles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The container of claim 1 wherein the geometric solid is a right rectangular parallelepiped.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The container of claim 8 wherein the parallelepiped is a cube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The container of claim 9 wherein each panel of the cube has identical edges so that the panels are completely interchangeable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The container of claim 10 wherein a bottom panel of the panels has a plurality of pallet stringers to differentiate the bottom panel from the other panels of the container.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The container of claim 5 wherein the connecting means further includes an access to aid placement and removal of the clip by allowing levering against the clip-bearing plate.
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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) | 1987-07-24 | 1988-01-23 | 1988-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-07-24 | 1992-01-23 | 1992-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-07-24 | 1996-01-23 | 1996-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |