Patent US4781314A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4781314A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid container
Assignee: CENTURION ENTERPRISES A CORP OF MI
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Filing: 1987-03-30
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Granted: 1988-11-01
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Expires: 2007-03-30
Abstract
Abstract A fluid container has a housing arranged in a box-like fashion with two square side walls, each having four edges and four corners, two top walls adjoining one another at a corner and extending between adjacent corresponding edges of the sidewalls, and two bottom walls adjoining one another at an opposite corner and extending between the two remaining adjacent corresponding sides of the side walls. Each of the top walls include a threaded neck opening to which are attached sealing cap members. A carrying handle is attached to one top wall and the remaining top and bottom walls have finger notches to facilitate grasping of the container. The container can rest on either bottom wall and can be filled from the opening in the opposing top wall or emptied from the opening in the adjacent top wall.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael I. Schoonover
- 👤 James A. McFadden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:58
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D1/00; B65D1/12; B65D1/20; B65D1/14; B65D1/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
318 words
A container for fluids comprising, in combination: two opposed sides, each of said sides having four edges, the edges of one of said sides corresponding to the edges of the other of said sides; a first top extending between a first pair of corresponding edges of said two sides including a first portion defining a first opening through said first top, and a first neck; a second top extending between a second pair of corresponding edges of said two sides including a second portion defining a second opening through said second top, and a second neck; said second pair of corresponding edges extending from ends of said first pair of corresponding edges so that said second top adjoins said first top at a first corner; a first bottom extending between a third pair of corresponding edges of said two sides, said third pair of corresponding edges being adjacent said second pair of corresponding edges so that said first bottom adjoins said second top at a second corner; a second bottom extending between a fourth pair of corresponding edges of the two sides, said fourth pair of corresponding edges extending from said third pair of corresponding edges and to said first pair of corresponding edges so that said second bottom adjoins said first bottom and said first top, respectively, at third and fourth corners; said two sides, two tops and two bottoms together defining a housing, each of said first and second bottoms being adapted to allow stable resting of said housing on either one of said bottoms; and a spout and a pair of caps each securable to said first and second necks; wherein said first and second necks are located on said first and second tops adjacent said fourth and second corners, respectively, near said second and first bottoms thereby allowing substantially complete drainage of said container when said container rests on either one of said bottoms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
318 words
A container for fluids comprising, in combination: two opposed sides, each of said sides having four edges, the edges of one of said sides corresponding to the edges of the other of said sides; a first top extending between a first pair of corresponding edges of said two sides including a first portion defining a first opening through said first top, and a first neck; a second top extending between a second pair of corresponding edges of said two sides including a second portion defining a second opening through said second top, and a second neck; said second pair of corresponding edges extending from ends of said first pair of corresponding edges so that said second top adjoins said first top at a first corner; a first bottom extending between a third pair of corresponding edges of said two sides, said third pair of corresponding edges being adjacent said second pair of corresponding edges so that said first bottom adjoins said second top at a second corner; a second bottom extending between a fourth pair of corresponding edges of the two sides, said fourth pair of corresponding edges extending from said third pair of corresponding edges and to said first pair of corresponding edges so that said second bottom adjoins said first bottom and said first top, respectively, at third and fourth corners; said two sides, two tops and two bottoms together defining a housing, each of said first and second bottoms being adapted to allow stable resting of said housing on either one of said bottoms; and a spout and a pair of caps each securable to said first and second necks; wherein said first and second necks are located on said first and second tops adjacent said fourth and second corners, respectively, near said second and first bottoms thereby allowing substantially complete drainage of said container when said container rests on either one of said bottoms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The container as defined in claim 1 wherein said sides are rectangular so that said corners comprise substantially right angles, and said housing defines a box-like interior.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The container as defined in claim 2 wherein said sides are square.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The container as defined in claim 2 wherein said sides include reinforcing ridges extending diagonally from corner to corner across said sides.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The container as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second tops includes a handle for transporting said container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The container as defined in claim 5 wherein at least one of said first and second bottoms includes finger notches to facilitate grasping said container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The container as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said caps includes a vent to relieve pressure in the interior of said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The container as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing is composed of molded plastic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The container as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing is composed of metal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The container as defined in claim 1 wherein said spout includes valve means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The container as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second necks each include external threading, and said spout and pair of caps include matching internal threading.
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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) | 1991-11-01 | 1992-05-02 | 1992-11-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-01 | 1996-05-02 | 1996-11-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-01 | 2000-05-02 | 2000-11-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |