US4231481A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Convertible container for fluent or solid cargo
Assignee: Boeing Commercial Airplane Co
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Filing: 1979-04-13
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Granted: 1980-11-04
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Expires: 1999-04-13
Abstract
Abstract An intermodal cargo container capable of being quickly and easily converted between a solid storage mode and a fluent storage mode is disclosed. Shell sections adapted to be either removed from, or pivoted within, an outer container are provided to support an impermeable liner in the fluent storage mode. Elements of both the inner and outer container may be of conventional construction for surface transport or of lightweight construction suitable for air as well as surface transport.
Inventors
- 👤 Gilbert J. Nash
- 👤 Gerhard E. Seidel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:57
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D90/00; B65D90/004; B65D90/0046; B65D88/00; B65D88/02; B65D88/12; B65D88/128; B65D90/0053; B65D90/006; B65D2590/00; B65D2590/0041; B65D2590/005; B65D2590/0058
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A cargo container convertible between a solid storage mode and a fluent storage mode comprising top, bottom and side walls forming a generally rectangular outer container; an end wall at each end of said outer container substantially closing said outer container; an inner container mounted within said outer container, said inner container comprising at least two curved circumferentially divided shell sections and means to releasably attach said sections to each other to form an open-ended cylinder, said end walls substantially closing said cylinder ends support means pivotally mounted to said outer container and detachably mounted to said inner containner whereby said support means can be easily detached from said inner container during conversion from fluent to dry mode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A cargo container convertible between a solid storage mode and a fluent storage mode comprising top, bottom and side walls forming a generally rectangular outer container; an end wall at each end of said outer container substantially closing said outer container; an inner container mounted within said outer container, said inner container comprising at least two curved circumferentially divided shell sections and means to releasably attach said sections to each other to form an open-ended cylinder, said end walls substantially closing said cylinder ends support means pivotally mounted to said outer container and detachably mounted to said inner containner whereby said support means can be easily detached from said inner container during conversion from fluent to dry mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A container as defined in claim 1 wherein said sections are dimensioned so as to be nestable, one within the other after removal from said outer container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A container as defined in claim 1 wherein said cylinder has a longitudinal axis; said shell sections are divided into a plurality of segments at spaced locations along said axis; and said support means are divided into longitudinal segments at the same locations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A container as defined in claim 3 further including at least one auxiliary wall positionable between said segments such that one portion of said cargo container may be in a fluent storage mode while another portion is in a solid storage mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A container as defined in claim 4 further comprising an impermeable liner detachably mounted within said cylinder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
A container as defined in claim 1 said inner container further comprising a flexible impermeable liner detachably mounted within said cylinder, at least when said cargo container is in a fluent storage mode; and means providing fluent communication between the interior of said liner and the exterior of said outer container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
A container as defined in claims 1, 2 or 6 further comprising a permanent support mounted to said top wall, means on said permanent support for pivotally mounting said at least two shell sections and means for holding said shell sections in a stowed, out of the way position when said cargo container is in a solid mode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
A container as defined in claim 4 wherein said liner is elastomeric.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A container as defined in claim 2 further comprising means mounted on said side walls, within said outer container, for retaining some of said support means in a stowed, out of the way location against said side walls when said container is in a solid storage mode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A container as defined in claim 10 wherein at least one of said support means is detachably mounted to said bottom wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A container as defined in claim 1 wherein said top, bottom side and end walls are aluminum alloy.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A container as defined in claim 1 wherein said top, bottom, side and end walls are of skin and stringer construction.
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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) | 1983-11-04 | 1984-05-05 | 1984-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-04 | 1988-05-05 | 1988-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-04 | 1992-05-05 | 1992-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |