US5289933A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible cargo container
Assignee: Streich Roland
•
Filing: 1992-04-20
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Granted: 1994-03-01
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Expires: 2012-04-20
Abstract
Abstract A collapsible cargo container, particular of rectangular or square cross section, has a bottom element, a top element, and side wall elements, which in the erected state for use are joined together by releasable plug-in connectors located in corner pillars at corner regions of the bottom and top elements. In the collapsed state for being shipped empty, the top element is joined to the bottom element with the same plug-in connectors, and the side wall. At least one door fits flush against adjacent side wall elements inwardly of the pillars, to permit flat folding of the container for shipment when empty.
Inventors
- 👤 Roland Streich
- 👤 Falk Kuhn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:08
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D88/00; B65D88/52; B65D88/526; B65D88/02; B65D88/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
A collapsible cargo container, in particular of rectangular or square cross section, having a bottom element (1); a plurality of side wall elements (5); and a top element (6), said bottom side wall and top element being rigidly joined together when said container is in an erected condition; at least one selectively openable and closable door; a door hinge (11) pivotably supporting the door about a vertical hinge axis when the container is in erected condition; and releasable plug-in connectors located in the corner regions of the bottom and top elements for connecting the bottom and top elements to the side wall elements, wherein the plug-in connectors (15, 16; 19, 20), when the container is in a collapsed or empty shipping condition, directly connect the top element (6) to the bottom element (1) with the side walls elements (5) located between the top and bottom elements; and wherein the door hinge (11) is coupled to one side wall element (5) and is hingedly operative to fold the door (10) flat against said one side wall element for resting against said one side wall element flat thereagainst to be accomodated between the top element (6) and the bottom element (1) when the container is collapsed for empty-shipment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
A collapsible cargo container, in particular of rectangular or square cross section, having a bottom element (1); a plurality of side wall elements (5); and a top element (6), said bottom side wall and top element being rigidly joined together when said container is in an erected condition; at least one selectively openable and closable door; a door hinge (11) pivotably supporting the door about a vertical hinge axis when the container is in erected condition; and releasable plug-in connectors located in the corner regions of the bottom and top elements for connecting the bottom and top elements to the side wall elements, wherein the plug-in connectors (15, 16; 19, 20), when the container is in a collapsed or empty shipping condition, directly connect the top element (6) to the bottom element (1) with the side walls elements (5) located between the top and bottom elements; and wherein the door hinge (11) is coupled to one side wall element (5) and is hingedly operative to fold the door (10) flat against said one side wall element for resting against said one side wall element flat thereagainst to be accomodated between the top element (6) and the bottom element (1) when the container is collapsed for empty-shipment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The cargo container of claim 1, wherein the plug-in connectors have plug-in protrusions (15, 19) on one of the elements (1, 5, 6) to be joined together, and receptacles (16, 20) for the plug-in protrusions on the other element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cargo container of claim 1, wherein the side wall elements (5), on two opposed sides, have parallel pillar-like sections (17).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The cargo container of claim 3, wherein the pillar-type sections (17), located on the adjacent respective side wall elements (5), protrude beyond the wall face of the respective side wall element, and define recessed regions of the respective side wall element adjacent the associated pillar-like section (17).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cargo container of claim 3, wherein parts of the plug-in connectors (15, 16; 19, 20) are located at end regions of said pillar-like sections (17).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The cargo container of claim 4, wherein the recessed region of the respective side wall element, defined by the side wall element and the two adjacent protruding pillar-like sections, is dimensioned to receive the at least one door (10) into said recessed region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cargo container of claim 3, wherein the profile sections (17) are formed as hollow profile sections or tubes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
84 words
The cargo container of claim 1, wherein at least two hinge elements (11) are provided, each hinge element having two parallel hinge axes (35, 36), and joined to the pillar-like sections (17) and the side wall element (5) respectively, of which one hinge axis is located so as to enable swiveling of the hinge element (11) relative to the side wall element (5), and the other axis (36) is positioned on the respective hinge element so as to enable swinging of the door (10).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cargo container of claim 8, wherein the hinge elements (11) are releasably secured to the applicable side wall elements (5) or its pillar-like profile section (17).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The cargo container of claim 1, wherein sealing means are provided, located between the door (10) and at least one of: the respective hinge element (11), and the bottom wall element (1), and the top element (6).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The cargo container of claim 1, wherein door stop means (23; 52, 53) for the at least one door (10; 51) are provided, located on at least on of: the bottom element (1) and the top element (6).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cargo container of claim 11, wherein the stop means (23) locks the hinge element (11) in position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
72 words
The cargo container of claim 1, wherein the at least one door (10) has a height differing from the height of the side wall elements (5), and that at least one of: the top element and bottom element (1; 6) is provided, respectively, with protruding or recessed side wall parts which, in erected condition of the cargo container, adjoin the side wall elements (5) or the at least one door (10), respectively.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
76 words
The cargo container of claim 1, further including coupling or connection means (29; 34) coupling the side wall elements (5) to one of the bottom element (1), and the top element (6) to retain the side wall elements captive with the respective bottom or top element, said coupling or connection means permitting movement of the side wall elements (5) from the erected position into the collapsed position for empty shipping of the container in collapsed condition.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
71 words
The cargo container of claim 14, wherein the coupling or connection means comprise strap-like connection elements (29), locted in the region of the face ends of the side wall elements (5), which connection elements are hinged on the respective bottom or top element (1, 6) and the respective side wall element (5) and further are longitudinally displaceable to a limited extent with respect to at least one of the said elements.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cargo container of claim 14, wherein the coupling or connection means (29) are recessed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The cargo container of claim 14, wherein the connection means comprise at least one, optionally elastic, strip-like element (34), connected to the respective bottom or top element (1, 6), and to the associated side wall element (5).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
The cargo container of claim 1, wherein form-fittingly interengaging connection members (45, 46; 47; 48) are provided, located between the at least one of: the bottom element (1), and the top element (6) respectively and each of said side wall elements (5).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
53 words
The cargo container of claim 1, wherein the bottom element (1) is formed with feet (2) to stand on, positioned at least in corner regions thereof; and wherein the top element (6) has guide means (8), at least in the corner regions, for the feet (2) of another cargo container stacked on it.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The cargo container of claim 1, wherein at least one of the top element (6) and the bottom element (1) and at least one of the side wall elements (5) has lateral impact absorbers (33).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cargo container of claim 1, wherein at least one of the top and the bottom element (6a, 1) is formed as a frame.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The cargo container of claim 1, wherein at least one of the side wall element (5) and the bottom element (1) and the top element (6) is at least substantially formed of plastic material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The cargo container of claim 1, wherein at least one of the top element, and the bottom element (6, 1), and at least one of the wall elements (5) are essentially bullet-proof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
47 words
The cargo container of claim 11, wherein the stop means comprises a raised stop strip (23) formed on at least one of: the bottom element (1), and the top element (6), and located to retain the door (10) in position against the respective adjacent side wall (5).
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
42 words
The cargo container of claim 11, wherein the stop means (23) is located on the bottom element (1) and defines an included space; and wherein a drainage device (44) is provided connected to said included space and leading to the outside thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
52 words
The cargo container of claim 1, wherein at least one of said doors is formed as a sliding panel (51); and guide means (52) are provided on at least one of: the side wall element (5), the top element (1), and the bottom element (6) for displaceably guiding said sliding panel (51).
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The cargo container of claim 1, wherein said door hinge is hingedly operative to fold the door (10) flat, inwardly of the container, against said one side wall element (5).
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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) | 1997-02-28 | 1997-08-30 | 1998-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-28 | 2001-08-30 | 2002-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-28 | 2005-08-30 | 2006-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |