US4609116A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Produce bin
Assignee: Citibank NA
•
Filing: 1985-05-01
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Granted: 1986-09-02
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Expires: 2005-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A bulk container which is disassemblable such that the interchangeable wall panels and the locking clips which connect the wall panels fit flatly into the flanged base assembly of the container. A base assembly provided with flanged sides holds the disasembled rectangular side panels. Each side panel is provided with a miter strip adjacent each side edge which extends below the lower edge in a leg. The leg supports the panel above the flange of the base assembly. Adjacent the miter strip at each side of the panel is a short slot. Locking clips engage a pair of panels at each corner by engaging the slots. The size reduction afforded by the disassembled condition of the container provides for more efficient shipping and transportation of the containers. Interchangeable parts reduce overall costs and the time required for assembly and disassembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanton E. Simms
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:12
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D9/00; B65D9/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
In an improved portable and disassemblable bulk container having a bottom and side panels, the improvement comprising: at least one upright flange along the upper periphery of the bottom; miter strips secured adjacent to the normally vertical side edges of each of the panels and extending beyond the lower edge of the panels to support the panels in alignment with and above said flange; each of the side panels having vertical slots extending from the upper edges of the panels and spaced apart from each side edge of each of the panels; and removable, interchangeable locking clips spanning the beveled exterior of the corners formed by the adjacent panels with abutted miter strips placed in alignment with and above said flange and terminating in L-shaped bends to be slidably accepted in said vertical slots and to extend along the interior surface of the panels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
In an improved portable and disassemblable bulk container having a bottom and side panels, the improvement comprising: at least one upright flange along the upper periphery of the bottom; miter strips secured adjacent to the normally vertical side edges of each of the panels and extending beyond the lower edge of the panels to support the panels in alignment with and above said flange; each of the side panels having vertical slots extending from the upper edges of the panels and spaced apart from each side edge of each of the panels; and removable, interchangeable locking clips spanning the beveled exterior of the corners formed by the adjacent panels with abutted miter strips placed in alignment with and above said flange and terminating in L-shaped bends to be slidably accepted in said vertical slots and to extend along the interior surface of the panels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The bulk container of claim 1, wherein said flange is fixedly mounted to the bottom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The bulk container of claim 1, wherein the bottom is provided along its lower surface with parallel strips spaced along the width of the underside of the bottom to adapt the container for use with a fork lift.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bulk container of claim 1, wherein said miter strips form an isosceles right triangle in cross section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The bulk container of claim 1, wherein the overall height of each panel, including said miter strips, does not exceed half the width of the bottom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The bulk container of claim 1, wherein said panels are provided with channels along the normally outer panel surface, spaced apart from the normally lower edge of each of the panels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The bulk container of claim 6, further comprising bottom clips fixedly mounted to each exterior side of each of said flange and extending above said flange and towards the interior of said container for mating engagement with said channels of said panels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The bulk container of claim 6, wherein said bottom clips are U-shaped in cross section and fixedly mounted between said flange and the bottom.
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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) | 1989-09-01 | 1990-03-03 | 1990-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-01 | 1994-03-03 | 1994-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-01 | 1998-03-03 | 1998-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |